Constantly asked to recommend an air rifle

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markT

markT

Member
Aug 2, 2017
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sc, United States
people know I shoot squirrels and I use air rifles. I’m constantly asked “what pellet gun do you recommend?” “I’d like to get one for $200-$300.” I wish there was somewhere to send these people for an in-depth video to walk someone thru air rifles and explain what the differences are and provide some recommendations with pricing and sources. 

Is there such a video available or information available? 
 
Tell'em to spend some time on YouTube !

Sort it out for themselves. It's NOT that difficult, even if they need to watch one or two a coupa times.

They'll get to know / understand, just like I did, that there are three or four (more?), GOOD reviewers that do YouTube videos.

Drives me nuts to see / hear people ask "others" to do THEIR homework for them ! Should we offer up which underwear they are to wear too ?



Mike
 
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I think you have to know someone personally in order to make a good recommendation. Plus you have to have owned a ton of guns from the bottom tier to the top. Guns can be extensions of one’s personality. As far as airgun videos go, fantasy gets more views than reality with the exception of disassembly videos. Those videos save a dog from being kicked every day.
 
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My answer would be a little more compassionate, I hope. I would not want to join a community whose first response is "buzz off and learn it on Youtube - if I did it, you can too if you are worthy."



In a five minute discussion, you can find out:

Where they plan to shoot? Range, basement, woodlands?

What they plan to shoot - plink, target/competition, pests, big game or 500 yard fantasy shots like shown on U-tuba.

Why they plan to shoot - passing fancy? Improve their powder burner skills? Pursuit of perfection? Learning Zen and need an excercise to go with?

Who they have talked to in the past - here you can recommend the best forum around (AGN of course!)

What are their pre-conceived notions? - This is a major point for guiding future interactions with them.

Don't be too proud to admit that you are not a good source of information on anything that is out of your wheelhouse. 



6 questions that will make them think a little bit and give you a much better chance of being helpful to them. I can give anyone 5 minutes of my time, especially if I get to talk about my passions at the same time.


 
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JimNM, great advice. I thought we're trying to grow a community for enthusiasts. Just about any PCP on the market can be set up to kill stuff pretty easily, IMO, but if true accuracy and competition turns your screws, that can be a deep pocket game. Also, the necessary accessories, right? A pump, tank, compressor, chronograph, stand, yikes. Then, the mods and upgrades, ching, ching. 

I would maybe suggest they visit a store, or contact online sellers who have a stake in the game, therefore the time for honest salemanship. ( can those two words be in the same sentence??? IDK). 

Good shooting all. 
 
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Sometimes I feel that it is easier for me to tell others which airguns I would NOT recommend, than to actually recommend some! I think that the approach stated JimNM above is a very good one. But people are all so different. Will the hook be set in them like it was in me, to take up airgun shooting pretty seriously? Or will they maybe find out that they have other things they like doing better, and the airgun sits in the safe? So do you have them take the 'buy once, cry once' approach to a higher end gun, or recommend something in a much lower price range which, if it doesn't work well (poor trigger, hard cocking, etc.) might put them off to airguns in general?

I have actually purchased less expensive airguns in the past - not from Walmart or Big 5, but guns like the AV Avenger, Benjamin Cayden and a Beeman. Just so that I could try them out and see if I could recommend them. In one case it was a big YES, in another it was a "not so much," and with one it was "don't do it!"

I am fortunate in that I have a somewhat variable range of guns in my collection, and a shooting area in my back yard. So I can let folks try some stuff out and see what works for them. And it doesn't stop with the gun either - preferences vary widely regarding the optics too.

After they have shot certain guns, I then can sometimes give them sites to look at for reviews. Steve Scially at AEAC is one of my favorite sites to recommend - His high standards and high ethics show throughout his work. He shoots guns from a wide variety of price points, his presentations are clear and educational, and his work is entertaining, at least to me.


 
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My answer would be a little more compassionate, I hope. I would not want to join a community whose first response is "buzz off and learn it on Youtube - if I did it, you can too if you are worthy."



In a five minute discussion, you can find out:

Where they plan to shoot? Range, basement, woodlands?

What they plan to shoot - plink, target/competition, pests, big game or 500 yard fantasy shots like shown on U-tuba.

Why they plan to shoot - passing fancy? Improve their powder burner skills? Pursuit of perfection? Learning Zen and need an excercise to go with?

Who they have talked to in the past - here you can recommend the best forum around (AGN of course!)

What are their pre-conceived notions? - This is a major point for guiding future interactions with them.

Don't be too proud to admit that you are not a good source of information on anything that is out of your wheelhouse. 



6 questions that will make them think a little bit and give you a much better chance of being helpful to them. I can give anyone 5 minutes of my time, especially if I get to talk about my passions at the same time.

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^^^^^This, although I might add in: What distances do want to shoot at, since it will help steer them to a capable rifle, and, Do you want a scope or open sights, since if they're budgeting for a rifle and want a scope, it needs to be factored in since most scopes included in a "package" deal are generally junk.
 
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The following is what I emailed my friend:

Hey, got your voice message.

I answer your question is just about impossible. All joking aside it is extremely difficult to answer the question, but I will try.

Caliber: .22 for fur and .177 for feathers is a general rule. I use both for squirrels but Iv've been shooting for years and have very accurate rifles.

Spring gun or PCP? Pre Charged Pneumatic. Springers will kill and they are accurate. PCPs are a whole lot more fun, accurate but they do cost more..

Air rifles cost form $150-$1100. You will get what you pay for.. 

Gammo is not a bad rifle for a springer. they can be purchased online or cabelas or walmart or Pyramidair or others.

There's a entry level pcp called Avenger that is made in China. ( F China IMO) but a lot of guys say they are a darn good for the $$$. 

I would direct your friend to visit airgunation.com. it's a forum where he can join and ask questions and quickly learn about the world of airgunning.. To me there is nothing more fun that air rifles.. Oh was that a lie.. PRAIRIE DOGS damn it!

I first bought a cheap Gammo break barrel springer and then a friend handed me a FX pcp..I was hooked..

If I were your friend I would buy a FX Dreamlight ( made in Sweden) in .22 or a Weihrauch HW100 ( Germany).. He can sell there rifles and only lose 20%-25%... 

If he wants to call me I'd be happy to talk with him and answer any questions.. Sometimes airgunnation classifieds have reasonable prices on used guns.. Heck even a Benjamin Marauder is a great gun.. Gammo has a decent entry level pcp.. Very difficult to guide someone that doesn't really know much about this hobby / sport..
 
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@MarkT I think @JimNM gave some great advice. What you typed seems to be honest and pretty thorough considering that you know this person. Having said that, the friend can watch videos and compare prices, but at this point has he shot anything? If not, are you two able to get together to let him get some trigger time in with one or two of your airguns? I think trigger time is important. I believe that you and the other person will see if shooting airguns is something they can get into and enjoy by allowing to shoot your guns and observing them while they shoot. If you also have a springer for them to shoot that would be a great opportunity for them to compare the types of rifles. Then you can explain that it is unrealistic to expect similar performance and quality from a $200-$300 airgun. From there you may be able to drive home the “you get what you pay for” point considering you have allowed them to shoot quality guns that cost upwards of say $600 if purchased new and maybe on sale or with a coupon code. Also if you have time and recording/editing skills, you may be the person to make that sort of video for folks new to airguns. Just a thought.
 
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I met with a few friends and had several shooting platforms for them to try, springers, pumpers and pcp ‘s . And ended up selling three guns and no sellers remorse! Two springers which I had tuned and really liked but I know they went to good homes. One gentleman called me me later and said that he hasn’t that much fun in a long time and appreciated that I let everyone try them out. Hopefully this will get more people involved my area. I believe if we share our knowledge and let others experience our passion our community will grow.
 
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HW30s and a tin of pellets. Our addictive personalities will take it from there....
Click to expand...

That definitely is a winning combination you recommend. Especially, in my eyes, AoA's 'Urban Pro' combination.

Nicest shooting springer I've ever shot (and therefore the last one I own), and no need to answer the new shooter's next question: "Which compressor should I get?"
 
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