Cheap vs expensive PCP's

[Deleted 45061]

I would buy a Cayden (Benjamin Craftsman) if your budget is 600. Don't forget you need your tank or compressor too. If you have a higher budget, consider a new platform like the BRK Ghost or an Evol or something along those lines.

 

[steve-l]

I think the OP's argument makes no sense. He is a beginner and may not understand that the cost of air guns is irrelevant in this hobby. The real cost is high pressure air (HPA). There is no such thing as cheap HPA. The cost of HPA will ultimately exceed greatly the cost of his air guns. In that light, owning a cheap gun makes no sense at all. Eyes wide open!

 

[ThomasT]

I think the OP's argument makes no sense. He is a beginner and may not understand that the cost of air guns is irrelevant in this hobby. The real cost is high pressure air (HPA). There is no such thing as cheap HPA. The cost of HPA will ultimately exceed greatly the cost of his air guns. In that light, owning a cheap gun makes no sense at all. Eyes wide open!

Hello steve

I hope you are kidding. "the cost of air guns is irrelevant in this hobby"

ThomasT

 

[SteveKralsAround]

Something for the OP that I haven't read is trial . If he has access to try out different guns . Clubs , friends , any stores where he could go handle or maybe even get a little range time exprience . Pictures and online reviews leave lots to be desired , but if you can actually pick up a model in your hands tells you a lot more from the begining .

 

[Cody01]

Thank you to those who have decent input. As with any forums some are a tad critical but oh well. Just trying to learn this game a little before dropping money so I buy right from the start is all.

 

[tcarlson777]

Keep us posted on what you decide to buy, @Cody01 ! My first PCP was an Umarex Origin. I just wanted to start as cheap as possible to see if I like the hobby. Now I have 3 PCPs and really enjoy each of them.

 

[steve-l]

Hello steve

I hope you are kidding. "the cost of air guns is irrelevant in this hobby"

ThomasT

Hi Tom,
No, I'm not kidding. You can do the simple arithmetic yourself. If the difference between a top tier gun and an inexpensive one, say $2400 to $600 is about $1800, then consider the OP being a beginner will need everything else just to be able to shoot it. Please just add up those costs. I could list them, but you know what they are. You're talking about thousands before you are done. So, the cost difference of $1800 might just pay for a couple of air tanks and not much more. My point is many beginners have no idea these costs are so significant and in that light, why would you consider a cheap gun in the first place that you know will ultimately lead to a top tier gun anyway. I'm not trying to dissuade him, but I think this community has a responsibility to advise beginners accordingly. If a beginner does not have a PCP budget, perhaps a high quality springer is a better choice for him. In my humble opinion we should be giving this info to them and let them decide.

 

[450BM]

Hi Tom,
No, I'm not kidding. You can do the simple arithmetic yourself. If the difference between a top tier gun and an inexpensive one, say $2400 to $600 is about $1800, then consider the OP being a beginner will need everything else just to be able to shoot it. Please just add up those costs. I could list them, but you know what they are. You're talking about thousands before you are done. So, the cost difference of $1800 might just pay for a couple of air tanks and not much more. My point is many beginners have no idea these costs are so significant and in that light, why would you consider a cheap gun in the first place that you know will ultimately lead to a top tier gun anyway. I'm not trying to dissuade him, but I think this community has a responsibility to advise beginners accordingly. If a beginner does not have a PCP budget, perhaps a high quality springer is a better choice for him. In my humble opinion we should be giving this info to them and let them decide.

Just like the guns, there is inexpensive air and there is expensive air. When I bought my inexpensive Marauder I bought inexpensive air for it, a manual pump (around $100 when I purchased this. When I bought my expensive Impact, I bought (more) expensive air, an electric compressor (about $400). Yep, it would be easy to spend thousands on air if you have the money but if you don’t you can still get into PCP for under $400 for the air.

You can shoot 22 rimfire pretty cheap, you can also go big and shoot it expensive. Golf, reloading, powder burners, scopes, cars, mountain bikes, skiing. Need I go on?

I don’t think the OP is looking at winning RMAC, I think he wants to get into PCP’s to just shoot and enjoy them. No need to scare him away, he has a budget and wants to get started, let’s help him.

 

[Headshots]

Hi Tom,
No, I'm not kidding. You can do the simple arithmetic yourself. If the difference between a top tier gun and an inexpensive one, say $2400 to $600 is about $1800, then consider the OP being a beginner will need everything else just to be able to shoot it. Please just add up those costs. I could list them, but you know what they are. You're talking about thousands before you are done. So, the cost difference of $1800 might just pay for a couple of air tanks and not much more. My point is many beginners have no idea these costs are so significant and in that light, why would you consider a cheap gun in the first place that you know will ultimately lead to a top tier gun anyway. I'm not trying to dissuade him, but I think this community has a responsibility to advise beginners accordingly. If a beginner does not have a PCP budget, perhaps a high quality springer is a better choice for him. In my humble opinion we should be giving this info to them and let them decide.

I use a 250$ compressor now but hand pumped my Prod for years. I'm using $150 dollar scope and shoot chps quite often.

My maverick was $1450.

A Daystate Huntsman revere goes for $1100-1200 . I almost bought one but went with the FX. It will be my next one hopefully.

 

[Mr303]

Keep us posted on what you decide to buy, @Cody01 ! My first PCP was an Umarex Origin. I just wanted to start as cheap as possible to see if I like the hobby. Now I have 3 PCPs and really enjoy each of them.

I use a 250$ compressor now but hand pumped my Prod for years. I'm using $150 dollar scope and shoot chps quite often.

My maverick was $1450.

A Daystate Huntsman revere goes for $1100-1200 . I almost bought one but went with the FX. It will be my next one hopefully.

View attachment 314771

I have all that and a fill tank set.
Since where I hunt is remote without power and the hand pump is way too much effort with a 450cc tank the 97 cu/ft tank set made sense.
The initial out lay is high but all that makes for versatility at home and in the field.
The fact I now have 3 pcp’s also makes a tank nice to have when others want to shoot.
Know what you want, have a couple choices in mind, check the classifieds, you‘ll find something that way.

 

[Headshots]

I have all that and a fill tank set.
Since where I hunt is remote without power and the hand pump is way too much effort with a 450cc tank the 97 cu/ft tank set made sense.
The initial out lay is high but all that makes for versatility at home and in the field.
The fact I now have 3 pcp’s also makes a tank nice to have when others want to shoot.
Know what you want, have a couple choices in mind, check the classifieds, you‘ll find something that way.

I have 3 pcps as well. The pump is portable and can run off 12v or 110v. I fill a 400cc tank almost daily and it gets around 100 shots per fill. I live out of town in the sticks so no problem with shooting or varmint control at home.

 

[Jungle_George]

My first PCP was a Gauntlet in .177 that I paid $178 delivered to my door. Within a month I purchased a Yong Heng for $192 delivered. So, for under $400 I was off to the races. I then bought an AT44 in 22 on a Black Friday sale for $172 and the following year on Black Friday I got an AT44 in .177 for $118. Just a few days ago I bought a Beeman 2027 in .177 for $107.

The Gauntlet has been a good gun and gave me a huge improvement in accuracy over my springers and gave me the information that I needed which was that I really enjoyed PCP and that good performance can be had inexpensively. The AT44 in 177 has been absolutely magical when coupled with 12.5 gn slugs from NSA. I have taken it out to 300 meters shooting at golf balls on multiple occasions. Obviously, the winds have to be light and consistent to be able to achieve that level of accuracy, but the fact remains that the gun is capable of doing it. The AT44 in .22 shoots pellets well out to 100 yards but will never win any competitions.

I am glad that there is a successful high-end market because those innovations trickle down to the entry level market. I very much appreciate the fit and finish of high-end guns like FX, Daystate and the rest, but I simply cannot justify that kind of money on something that is exponentially more expensive. I will say that if I ever win the lottery, I am going to splurge and get a Daystate Redwolf. I just love the way it looks and (almost) everything that I read about it has been very positive.

I have always felt that starting with entry level equipment in any hobby will tell me if it is something that I want to pursue. The other reason I like less expensive equipment is that I like to beat on things and not get upset about scratches and dents. I don't like to baby things. I bought a very nice colt detective special once at an auction for a very good price and ended up selling it a year later because I didn't want to be the guy who messed up a safe queen.

 

[Headshots]

I think a guy can have just as much fun shooting targets or hunting with something like the Umerex Origin kit, as a guy with a $4000 setup. Good accuracy and the triggers not bad , plus it weighs just over 6lbs. I have one in .25 and turned down the power to 45 ft/lbs. If I was just starting I would go .22 cal.

 

[dizzums]

well, its all in what you expect .. anybody thats shot firearms all their life casually more or less doesnt expect shoot the flea in the eye at 100y accuracy haha ... if you want bragging rights and competition level precision then yeah .. your gonna pay for it with 'anything' ... ive found midrange pcps to be general as accurate or a bit better than the typical off the shelf 22lr though .. mrod, craftsman series etc .. the ultra cheap ones id steer clear from unless you got some messaging experience, then those can perform well to .. but the high dollar crap, hell, one can spend 2 grand on a 'firearm' to and it will be quite nice, not kidding ..

 

[beerthief]

might be worth a weekend road trip to a FT match or a "Know your limits" match . Most air gunners will let you handle or shoot their guns .
Maybe a family visit on the date of a show or match ?
( i made plans to visit my daughter in Calif and go to the Sacramento show this spring )

 

[Mr303]

well, its all in what you expect .. anybody thats shot firearms all their life casually more or less doesnt expect shoot the flea in the eye at 100y accuracy haha ... if you want bragging rights and competition level precision then yeah .. your gonna pay for it with 'anything' ... ive found midrange pcps to be general as accurate or a bit better than the typical off the shelf 22lr though .. mrod, craftsman series etc .. the ultra cheap ones id steer clear from unless you got some messaging experience, then those can perform well to .. but the high dollar crap, hell, one can spend 2 grand on a 'firearm' to and it will be quite nice, not kidding ..

To save weight and still have high accuracy many PB rifles start around $8-900 minimum (if you can find the caliber model etc) without a scope, case or ammo, so for the tech that is needed with an air gun $300-1300 seems reasonable in many respects.
Air gun prices north of $1000-1200 though are likely beyond the average airgunners budget so when I read about $2000+ guns that is just amazing to me.
But I still dropped 1K on a Texan SS to have a new gun warranty, an American made product and a reliable system for shooting slugs primarily.
I know my .25 Avenger Bullpup is accurate and deadly out to 100yds for well under $400 and if I didn’t now need a big bore it would suit all my hunting and plinking needs well. Even using a hand pump.
That being said and in hindsight a big bore could have been my first and only pcp even with the learning curve.

 

[ebigham1]

I've been following the $600 and under thread and there has been some very interesting guns but it sounds like most nice one's were acquired used, on smoking sales, or have been heavily modified. So my question is for a guy looking to get started and wants something good and long lasting from the get go is it even worth getting a $500 or 600 rifle or just jump right into $1,500 range. I mean they must cost more for a reason.

What are you going to do with it? How often will you be using it? You don't want to buy anything and then not use it. Whether its $500 or $5,000. How will you pump it up? What do you want to spend on ammo? A $2,500 gun can easily turn into a $4,000 gun.If your going into hunting get a gun with the appropriate power for what you want to hunt. Competition I would go for a more expensive gun. I own a Airforce escape SS that I have had for 6 years. It was in a house fire and it still shoots as good as it did when I first got it. .5 at 50 yards. I also have a Ataman M2R Bullpup which is twice the money. And it shoots a little better than the escape. I use the Airforce more than the Ataman because the ammo is cheaper and more readily available. The Ataman in my opinion is not twice as good as the Airforce. Also the Airforce is warrantied for life. The only thing that has ever went bad on it was the manometer. and they sent me replacements without any questions. Both guns have not given me any trouble since I have owned them. I don't know if anyone can say that about any other manufacturing company.

 

[silvershooter589]

My first PCP was a Gauntlet in .177 that I paid $178 delivered to my door. Within a month I purchased a Yong Heng for $192 delivered. So, for under $400 I was off to the races. I then bought an AT44 in 22 on a Black Friday sale for $172 and the following year on Black Friday I got an AT44 in .177 for $118. Just a few days ago I bought a Beeman 2027 in .177 for $107.

The Gauntlet has been a good gun and gave me a huge improvement in accuracy over my springers and gave me the information that I needed which was that I really enjoyed PCP and that good performance can be had inexpensively. The AT44 in 177 has been absolutely magical when coupled with 12.5 gn slugs from NSA. I have taken it out to 300 meters shooting at golf balls on multiple occasions. Obviously, the winds have to be light and consistent to be able to achieve that level of accuracy, but the fact remains that the gun is capable of doing it. The AT44 in .22 shoots pellets well out to 100 yards but will never win any competitions.

I am glad that there is a successful high-end market because those innovations trickle down to the entry level market. I very much appreciate the fit and finish of high-end guns like FX, Daystate and the rest, but I simply cannot justify that kind of money on something that is exponentially more expensive. I will say that if I ever win the lottery, I am going to splurge and get a Daystate Redwolf. I just love the way it looks and (almost) everything that I read about it has been very positive.

I have always felt that starting with entry level equipment in any hobby will tell me if it is something that I want to pursue. The other reason I like less expensive equipment is that I like to beat on things and not get upset about scratches and dents. I don't like to baby things. I bought a very nice colt detective special once at an auction for a very good price and ended up selling it a year later because I didn't want to be the guy who messed up a safe queen.

Hatsan AT44s are going cheap these days! Nice deals. Agree with everything you've stated. If I win the lotto I might pick up an FX Crown, heck, I'll probably purchase most of the high end guns people here go on about because I'll need something to fill up all the rooms in my new mansion.

Most people who get into a hobby don't pursue it all the way to the level of mastery. Most people couldn't even if they tried. Some will try and devote time, energy and money into something that will never satisfy them. And others will be happy blasting empty soda cans with BB guns (and even rely on it for defensive purposes). Who knows, maybe even learning to service and maintain their low end gear as well.

David knocked down Goliath with a simple stone, after all. But that's not to say Lindsey Vonn uses some $50 busted up skis she found on Craigslist either.

Someone mentioned the Umarex Origin.... I like the idea of this gun especially for the lightweight package and easy to top off with a hand pump. The idea that someone would say "if you can't afford a high end PCP just get a good springer" is a little wacky to me.

 

[HubenK1Sniper92]

It's has a lot to do with expectations. It can be done but a $600 gun not the best benchrest choice . Buy the best you can afford and add a few bucks to that. Better to go with a good quality used then new at same price. My example of cheap vs quality. Both .30 cal. I expect to bla st soda cans @ 200 yds with RAW HM1000X. The aea hp max .30 is a 70 yd hand cannon @ $600. One a benchrest, the other a truch gun. Love both for there designed purpose.View attachment 314516

I’m a sucker for pre airforce raws

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

Hi Tom,
No, I'm not kidding. You can do the simple arithmetic yourself. If the difference between a top tier gun and an inexpensive one, say $2400 to $600 is about $1800, then consider the OP being a beginner will need everything else just to be able to shoot it. Please just add up those costs. I could list them, but you know what they are. You're talking about thousands before you are done. So, the cost difference of $1800 might just pay for a couple of air tanks and not much more. My point is many beginners have no idea these costs are so significant and in that light, why would you consider a cheap gun in the first place that you know will ultimately lead to a top tier gun anyway. I'm not trying to dissuade him, but I think this community has a responsibility to advise beginners accordingly. If a beginner does not have a PCP budget, perhaps a high quality springer is a better choice for him. In my humble opinion we should be giving this info to them and let them decide.

Actually air can be very, very cheap
I've been Hanpumping for a decade and a half and more so now with the wonderful new crop of 50 bucks China pumps air is real cheap.

Also I only have guns in the 600 bucks range and they also served me very, very well for a decade and a half.