First impression of the AV Avenger.

[opschief]

First impression of the AV Avenger.

I'm not new to airguns by any means. I cut my teeth on a Crosman Blue streak back around 1960. Graduated to rim and center fire for decades and then jumped back into air guns with a Webley (Brit) Tomahawk and an RWS (German) Diana 36 Deluxe, Fit and finish were exceptional on both.

Fast forward to 2021. I'm old and the right shoulder is toast, so decided to transition to PCP. I never do anything halfway, so purchased three over the past couple of weeks. All NIB. Benj Cayden, Benj Akela, and just for grins, an Air Venturi Avenger. They arrived over the past couple of days, along with the compressor. I've not shot any yet, so this is simply my first impression.

Both Benjamins, appear to be high quality build with attention to detail on the hardware and beautiful furniture. The Avenger, on the other hand, smacks of cheap build quality and resembles more of a kids toy, than a quality PCP? It is almost exclusively made of "plastic", has a hollow stock, and weighs next to nothing.

Why then, does the Avenger receive such high accolades?

 

[TiredRooster]

I don't have any special insight or an all seeing eye into peoples thoughts. And do not own one. But, it's made in China and from what I understand has a lot of desirable features.....on the cheap.

 

[igolfat8]

Depends on if you won the barrel lottery but my Avenger is one of the most accurate rifles I own. Yes, the plastic stock is extremely cheap as are many things on the rifle but the target scores are what makes me smile and forget all the other short comings. Besides it’s a $300 Chinese rifle so keep that in context.

Be sure and clean the barrel thoroughly prior to shooting it. Mine was extremely filthy and took multiple scrubbings as well as dozens and dozens of patches before it cleaned out. I’ve never seen a filthier bore in my life.

 

[heavy-impact]

Of the three you mentioned, I would chose the Avenger every time. I like the light weight, power, accuracy and tunability of the Avenger. My guns are tools not decorations.

 

[TMH]

I agree with the O.P. Yes, guns and airguns are tools. But the shooting experience also has to count for something too. The Avenger feels cheap, made to a price point. My Cayden wasn't much more money when I bought it (when the AG NATION discount code still worked). Yes, the Avenger worked pretty O.K. Had to send it back once to get the frozen hammer spring adjuster freed up and working.

But never even a close comparison to the Cayden - I could sit at the bench and enjoy shooting that rifle for long sessions. 

'Inexpensive' and 'cheap' can be 2 very different things.

 

[rsfrid]

I have the wood stock version in 22 for indoor shooting. I have it tuned for H&N 18 gr pellets at 884fps and shot my first one hole group. Granted it was 8 yds indoors, but this will show you the Avenger can shoot if you do your part. I make no excuses for anything on the gun, it all works well so far.

 

[opschief]

Thanks for the insights. I've not fired any of them. As I mentioned, they've just arrived and I plan on giving the barrels of each a thorough scrubbing before even attempting to "season the bores". I settled on the Avenger (it's a gen. 2) due to it's tack driving reputation. I paid $280~ for the Avenger and $385~ for the Cayden and the Akela. Hard to pass up on based on today's inflated retail structure.

I've collected antique Winchesters and Marlins for 40 years and appreciate the quality of fine wood and workmanship. They are shot, but treated tenderly and get a lot of TLC. I also have Savages with synthetic stocks which are tools that I've hunted hard but, like all of my tools, are cared for. Those are my meat 'n taters guns. 

Thanks for the unbiased opinions. They, for the most part, support my mindset into the purchases.

Please feel to chime in with additional thoughts, suggestions, or opinions.

Thanks to all.

 

[Booder98]

I bought the plastic Avenger in .22, then sprung for the replacement wood stock. My experience with the trigger was the same as AirGunShooter upthread; with a little bit of work you can make the trigger nice. It likes CPHP just fine, and is plenty accurate. The external hammer spring and regulator adjustments are a nice touch. I have it set up now to get 80 or so shots using the CPHP at 840 fps.

Some downsides: some Avengers have been known to have problems with wandering POI. The DonnyFL 1/2x20 adapter helps with that. It's a little loud; the plastic one I bought has a shroud but absolutely nothing in the shroud like baffles or any other silencing tricks. The plastic stock is almost too light in the rear, but you can stuff rags or a plug of duct sealer in the stock to weight it down a little bit.

 

[SorenDrost]

Got the Avenger .177 just for the fun of it and to see, if it really can keep up with a lot more expensive air rifles



So far I am VERY impressed !!!

 

[Corvid_hunter]

Hard to argue with the target results from that rifle.

 

[boscoebrea]

he is going by looks,like she sure is ugly,butt sure can cook!

 

[Ripper]

Anybody here have problems with the pellet probe not lining up with the barrel breach? And also POI changes?That’s some of the few issues I have been reading in the reviews of the Avenger.I’ve been Deciding whether I want to get one or not. I don’t have any 25 calibers and that’s what I would get.

 

[rsfrid]

Anybody hear have problems with the pellet probe not lining up with the barrel breach? And also POI changes?That’s some of the few issues I have been reading in the reviews of the Avenger.I’ve been Deciding whether I want to get one or not. I don’t have any 25 calibers and that’s what I would get.

I don't have those problems with mine. I only use the CARM single shot loader, so that may account for my luck. I also have the DonnyFL attachment at the muzzle.

 

[Ripper]

Anybody hear have problems with the pellet probe not lining up with the barrel breach? And also POI changes?That’s some of the few issues I have been reading in the reviews of the Avenger.I’ve been Deciding whether I want to get one or not. I don’t have any 25 calibers and that’s what I would get.

I don't have those problems with mine. I only use the CARM single shot loader, so that may account for my luck. I also have the DonnyFL attachment at the muzzle.

I heard the DonnyFL Is what helped some people with their POI changes.

 

[Batman2]

I had a good deal offered and bought a new in box twice warranty exchanged Avenger for $200 from a disgruntled owner.

I was well aware of the leaking and regulator issues reported by many other owners but for $200 I could not resist trying one.

I use a hand pump and it was next to impossible to pump it up past 3000 pounds psi. 

It seemed really plasticy even the receiver and side lever was plastic considering I paid $200 too. 

It did experience wandering zero but I hadn't planned on spending more money fixing it with a Donny adapter. 

Trigger was hard to get used to. I am not that mechanically inclined nor had any desire to void the remaining warranty.

Win win I traded it for a nice scope and was forthcoming about the wandering zero issue and Donny adapter remedy I have seen on you tube video reviews.

I wanted it gone while it still didn't leak or exhibit regulator creep. Luckily I couldn't pump it past 3100 pounds psi to possibly risk a high pressure leak or cause any regulator problems. Bought it because it was $200 with hopes I could really baby it and lower the power to make it last longer than average but had too much difficulty pumping it anyway.

Been too used to pumping my Maximus to 2000 pounds psi.

I did appreciate the Avenger having a side lever cocking action and being a magazine fed multi shot rifle that had not leaked during my brief time of ownership.

Matt and Ted gave really good reviews about the gun too.

I think if you get one of the good ones that hopefully doesn't give any future issues after the warranty expires I feel really happy for you.

 

[nobody1]

I have an Avenger in .22 and one in .177 and have shot them a lot for the past 6 months. 

I also have a .22 Akela.

The Akela has a better build quality and Crosman 5 year warranty and part availability. 

They have about the same accuracy, but the Akela is harder to shoot accurately because it's a bullpup.

The Akela is at least 2 pounds heavier than the synthetic Avenger.

The Akela is not regulated and gives you fewer shots from a fill.

My Avengers have POI changes more than any other airgun I own.

So, pick your poison .

Anyways, my favorite air rifle is a Nova Liberty which is cheaper and more accurate than the Avenger or Akela.

 

[heavy-impact]

I bought the .22 Avenger as a light utility gun and it's good at it's job. Just as you don't compare a Timex to a Rolex, don't compare the Avenger to high end guns. Compare it to other guns at it's price point and it wins most times. I haven't noticed any POI changes and every dead squirrel has agreed with me.