FX Are expensive PCPs worth it?

[coastal drifter]

Something to also consider about "expensive" airguns like the FX Impact, for a few hundred more you can swap barrels to have multiple lengths,
/calibers, endless choices of projectiles, power settings, customizations, ETC. I have set mine (.22-600mm) up to shoot slugs with great power and amazing accuracy and then re-tuned to shoot JSB18gr pellets with most groups out to 50-60 yards MOA. because of the valving and plenum design and adjustability its extremely quiet and I'm getting 228 shots per 250bar fill on reg. Personally I consider that worth it.

 

[rokonman]

I feel there is real value to be had at the bottom of the FX and Daystate/Brocock lines. My FX Dreampup is capable of 90% of what the Top of the line stuff does for 50% of the cost. I lack the skill to tap in to the last 10% anyway. My own experience with lower priced stuff was always disappointing and I feel saving a little longer is for me at least a better plan.

9

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

Nope, those are tears from the guy with the laminate stock that got beat by my lowly Gauntlet shooting $5 WalMart pellets, lol.

Well when the barrel is long enough to touch the target from the bench it's easy to get good groups!

 

[Vana2]

By necessity, I've always had to buy tools/equipment at the level I could afford and upgrade when ever the opportunity presented itself.

Being mechanically inclined and having access to a well equipped work shop (thanks Dad) I could often improve a cheap item to raise it to a better functional level.

In hindsight, I probably wasted more money in incremental upgrades than if I could have bought in at the level I needed/wanted.

I went through dozens of cheap springers before I managed to put together the cash to buy a FWB 124. I've had the 124 for over 40 years, replaced the piston seal and the spring once, the breech seals a couple of times and it's been shooting great. The cheap springers shot ok but they're long gone, the FWB 124 will be going to my son when I'm gone.

There's a lot of satisfaction in turning a sow's ear into a silk purse but there's also a lot of pleasure in using a fine piece of equipment. I have a P8x target pistol that my skill level can't justify but I can't help but smile every time I shoot it - yeah, it was expensive but it's worth every penny to me.

Agree with the "diminishing returns" rules as far as performance goes but pleasure of ownership is worth a lot to me.

From a practical perspective, airguns (even the expensive ones) are not really that expensive relative to other hobbies and the cost per shot or cost per hour of entertainment is reasonable to me.

Most of my tools/equipment are at the "serious amateur" level and I try to buy stuff that's good value for the investment. I think that the $2K range is reasonable for the Air Arms, Daystate, Feinwerkbau, FX and Weihrauch airguns that interest me.

I opt for quality, fit and finish over inexpensive. Each to their own eh!

 

[Jammin22]

I voted yes. Because I believe you get what you pay for. Now, that's not 100% true, but close. I have owned several air rifles in the last 25+ years From AZ Tuned Theoben's, Daystate, Edguns, RTI, FX, Career 707, Falcon, Benjamin, Dar, Air Avenger, Hubens, Umarex to name a few.

In my past experience is with the cheaper rifles you better be educated on how to tinker or repair on your own like making barrel bands, LDC, replace trigger springs and so on.

Now, there is one exception and that's a Career 707 MKII. But that rifle was made a long time ago when parts were made of good quality materials. I still own one today and it's very durable.

With the more expensive rifles they tend not to break or leak near as much. For instance the old Theoben's are bullet proof. And many manufacturers have copied that design. This isn't 100% true either. Expensive rifles that have more gadgets, electronics, o-rings, are tend to have issues as well.

PCP air rifles are not bullet proof like a regular rimfire because your dealing with air. So, there's going to be issues that's part of the game that we so much Love.

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

Whatever you spend your money on and get joy out of is absolutely worth it. Ive hit a dove at 207y with my FX Dreamline. I can group sub moa with all of my FX rifles. Lots of FX hate. But they work. I choose the sub 2k models. DRS700, Dreamline tactical, CrownMK2 Continuum. Trading an uragan2 king for a krait
Have a daystate Revere reg, franken notos, zelos. I shoot my notos more than anything, but, my higher end guns are built so much better. FX is extremely tunable, have a huge amount of licensed fx and aftermarket upgrades components, and tons of information. I'm an FX fanboy, yes. Tell me they don't work and aren't built well.

Absolutely worth it.

 

[Scotay42]

Nope, those are tears from the guy with the laminate stock that got beat by my lowly Gauntlet shooting $5 WalMart pellets, lol.

That is a lottery pic gauntlet too. I have had 2 that were garbage. Shot a buddies that was great in .22. I had no such luck. Matter of fact , i will not even look at an umarex anymore, Snowpeak yes,umarex no. Every snowpeak I have owned was spot on or at least tunable. Just had straight bad barrels in both gauntlets i owned.

 

[Struckat]

I think yes, and there is a point of diminishing return that runs with what kind of air gunner you are. Meaning TPODR is different for me than it is for someone who travels the country or world engaging in competition and all the people in between.

I targeted high quality and simple for my first pcp. I bought a used AA500 and it is worth way more to me than I have in it. I can’t say enough good about it.
For blind mouse tinkering I have my Crosmans and an Air Force. All Walther barrels but they will never perform as consistently as my AA.

 

[Emu]

Or both!

It is an addiction.

This addiction is feeded by our natural perfection aspiration and the natural limits of our skills and of the imperfection of tool humans make (combined with the imperfection of projectiles, sights, ans combination ion or settings).

So yes, we pursue a carrot like horses pulling a cart.

The addiction is expensive.... As almost all of addictions.

 

[vtl]

I've been looking at .30 cal to take down some of the yote population I hunt at along with other pests (groundhogs mostly). And I'm really on the fence about what gun to get. I'm really thinking of getting an FX Maverick VP, seems to fill in everything I would want. Short, great aftermarket support, slug shooter, isn't super heavy, accurate (from what I heard), and more then enough power for me. But the price is a lot to take. I'm really worried about buyer remorse.

I've had 3 PCP rifles now, all under a grand (Avenge-X, Notos, and an AEA Element Max). And I have been happy with them. Are +1k guns really worth it? For that matter are +2k guns worth it? You guys/gals that bought these higher end guns, do you feel you got your money worth?

Wonder why you want to use .30 PCP for coyotes? In any case it will be more expensive than .22LR, both the cost of rifle and cost of round, but maybe your place permits shooting them with airgun, but bans discharging firearms?

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

Wonder why you want to use .30 PCP for coyotes? In any case it will be more expensive than .22LR, both the cost of rifle and cost of round, but maybe your place permits shooting them with airgun, but bans discharging firearms?

Why bowhunt when a .338 weatherby will blast Whitetail bucks nearly in half?

 

[vtl]

Why bowhunt when a .338 weatherby will blast Whitetail bucks nearly in half?

It's not the same. Archery season comes first, it is often the longest one, you have the best opportunity to harvest game, and depending on the state, you may harvest extra deer during archery season.

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

It's not the same. Archery season comes first, it is often the longest one, you have the best opportunity to harvest game, and depending on the state, you may harvest extra deer during archery season.

Some people choose archery for the entirety of the season, some choose spear, some muzzleloaders.

Aside from regulation which is the reason I use airgun in my local area. When you have choices it is the same.
Didn't mean to attack but 55gr in the skull of a coyote at 850-1xxx is plenty.

 

[vtl]

Some people choose archery for the entirety of the season, some choose spear, some muzzleloaders.

Aside from regulation which is the reason I use airgun in my local area. When you have choices it is the same.
Didn't mean to attack but 55gr in the skull of a coyote at 850-1xxx is plenty.

Sure, I'm not against anything as myself have everything. Just curious to know what factor was driving the decision.

 

[zerochance]

I own a few "cheaper" PCPs. I now own 2 PCPs over $1k. I wish there was an air gun shop in my state/area so I could have held a "high" end PCP vs a "cheap" PCP. Here's a list of PCP I owned in chronological order.

Crosman P1322 (You can thank this air gun for getting me into air guns)
Umarex Notos
Benjamin Marauder Pistol
AEA SF Compact
Huben GK1
Umarex Zelos
FX Wildcat MKIII BT

That being said, the higher the price doesn't mean I like it better. I enjoy shooting my Zelos more than my Huben GK1. I can't say much about the FX Wildcat at this time because I just acquired it. Waiting for pellets to arrive to start shooting it. I also use my air guns to hunt small game thus getting the Wildcat over the Maverick or an M3/M4.

The only air guns I use now are the Zelos, PROD, and FX Wildcat. It just depends on what you do or plan to do with the air gun.

 

[jls001]

I have an AA 510 and a Marauder. Is the AA worth 3 times the price of the MROD? To me yes. Is the MROD worth hanging onto? Yes I like them all

 

[Emu]

It's not the same. Archery season comes first, it is often the longest one, you have the best opportunity to harvest game, and depending on the state, you may harvest extra deer during archery season.

For many years I made the effort with bow and arrow. I took a white tailed deer, a bobcat and a Texas white sheep..

I got to the conclusion that it was not ethical for me to hunt with bow.

With PCP you have the same challenge to be close to the animals as when hunting with bow, but at least for me, can be ethical accurate.

I still have my Matheus X7 black bow. But I keep it in a shelf.

 

[dgeesaman]

There was no “it depends” so I didn’t vote.

Some high end airguns are needlessly complicated and not consistent performers or the high cost is due to widget and gadgetry instead of build quality.

Some airguns are a bargain at $2k. Others are worth $500 to me at more than $2k asking price.

IMHO

 

[nobody1]

Something to also consider about "expensive" airguns like the FX Impact, for a few hundred more you can swap barrels to have multiple lengths,
/calibers, endless choices of projectiles, power settings, customizations, ETC. I have set mine (.22-600mm) up to shoot slugs with great power and amazing accuracy and then re-tuned to shoot JSB18gr pellets with most groups out to 50-60 yards MOA. because of the valving and plenum design and adjustability its extremely quiet and I'm getting 228 shots per 250bar fill on reg. Personally I consider that worth it.

View attachment 525839

For the price of an FX barrel (around $300) I can buy an entire air gun.
Many decent PCPs around $300.

 

[nobody1]

That is a lottery pic gauntlet too. I have had 2 that were garbage. Shot a buddies that was great in .22. I had no such luck. Matter of fact , i will not even look at an umarex anymore, Snowpeak yes,umarex no. Every snowpeak I have owned was spot on or at least tunable. Just had straight bad barrels in both gauntlets i owned.

Umarex Zelos and Umarex Notos are made by Snowpeak and they are great.
So, you may have to look at Umarex again.