Never thought I’d be thinking this…..

[Jayboy]

Well, I’ve been shooting PCPs now for over 20 years which ended up with me owning two Daystates, one Wolverine R and one Red Wolf. Thing is, I’ve recently bought a Walther LGV which has turned my life upside down. I’ve sold the Wolverine and about to sell my Red Wolf to a friend. Whenever I’ve been to my club, the PCPs didn’t even come out. I’m finding the feeling of hitting bullseyes with the springer much more exciting than the PCPs. I’m having to reawaken long lost skills and enjoying every moment. I’m not suggesting that one type is better than the other, it’s just that I find the PCPs too clinical (this even more so with the electronic trigger on the RW!). Hitting a bull with either of the Daystates was just kind of expected. Not so with the springer. Has anybody else taken this route? Most I know have moved on to PCPs.

I posted a similar post here in the UK and got some fantastic discussions going with some in agreement and others thinking I was nuts.

Here is the culprit!

 

[Lewis]

Both are great in their own ways, but if I was told I could only keep one gun, it would be a springer. I wouldn’t have to think twice about it!
There is just something about it that makes you feel as if you earned the shot.

 

[Jayboy]

Couldn’t agree more Lewis, a bullseye every so often for me at the moment suits me fine. Accuracy will follow (hopefully!)

 

[.20calguy]

I've been shootng vintage pumpers, but after an injury, that wasn't going to heel until I stopped, I started shooting some other guns, starting with crack barrel springers.only to find out that I couldn't shoot them either. So the PCP's come out, and wow, how nice is this? I burnt my compressor up! Lol.
Now, I'm shooting the SSP pistols, and still happy.

 

[drpietrzak]

I recently moved more from pb into air. My springer is making me pretty pleased.

 

[Jayboy]

Interesting…..

I fully understand that not everyone is able to operate a springer. This may be down to a disability or age issue in which case the PCP is the best choice but for others that haven’t shot a decent springer in years, give one a go…..you might be surprised. Things have moved on a great deal since my first BSA Meteor way back in the day.

 

[AirNGasman]

"Has anybody else taken this route?" Yes, and no.

Having owned several hundred airguns of all types in the last sixty years, a couple years ago I realized I was without springer ONE. It wasn't by conscious design; simply "happened" as PCPs supplanted other powerplants based on my airgunning activities (primarily long-range, high-power Extreme Field Target and Bench-Rest Silhouette competitions).

But last year I took a clean FWB 124 off a buddy's hands, that turned out to be a money pit! But now it's not only shooting great, but thanks to Maccari innards installed by Dave Slade, quite hot for a 124 (835 FPS with 8.4 grain JSBs). To some degree that rekindled my springer love (appreciation).

My new, pre-owned .177 Theoben Evolution is scheduled to deliver today. I'm hoping its weak shooting can be corrected by recharging the gas-piston chamber; but if not, thankfully I have an unused piston head that has lived the last quarter-century in a zip-lock bag in a parts cabinet. If that's needed, I'll leave the installation/tune to Dave again.

I've owned and loved a .177 Evolution before, so am really looking forward to this new (to me) classic "springer". However I won't be forsaking PCPs anytime soon. That's just NUTS!

 

[ORM-D]

I own and shoot both. My RWS 350 still gets a fair number of pellets thru it.

 

[Jayboy]

"Has anybody else taken this route?" Yes, and no.

Having owned several hundred airguns of all types in the last sixty years, a couple years ago I realized I was without springer ONE. It wasn't by conscious design; simply "happened" as PCPs supplanted other powerplants based on my airgunning activities (primarily long-range, high-power Extreme Field Target and Bench-Rest Silhouette competitions).

But last year I took a clean FWB 124 off a buddy's hands, that turned out to be a money pit! But now it's not only shooting great, but thanks to Maccari innards installed by Dave Slade, quite hot for a 124 (835 FPS with 8.4 grain JSBs). To some degree that rekindled my springer love (appreciation).

My new, pre-owned .177 Theoben Evolution is scheduled to deliver today. I'm hoping its weak shooting can be corrected by recharging the gas-piston chamber; but if not, thankfully I have an unused piston head that has lived the last quarter-century in a zip-lock bag in a parts cabinet. If that's needed, I'll leave the installation/tune to Dave again.

I've owned and loved a .177 Evolution before, so am really looking forward to this new (to me) classic "springer". However I won't be forsaking PCPs anytime soon. That's just NUTS!

I think the Theoben Evolution was sold here as the Fenman. If they are the same gun, I owned one and still regret selling it.

Hey, nuts I is!

 

[Richely]

Very much appreciate others’ attractions to pcp’s. Lots of interesting and capable options there. However, for me, I very much appreciate the simplicity of springers and SSPs – grab gun, pellets and shoot.

 

[Jayboy]

Very much appreciate others attractions to pcp’s. Lots of interesting and capable options there. However, for me, I very much appreciate the simplicity and of springers and SSPs – grab gun, pellets and shoot.

Gotcha, and add to that no leaks, expensive to buy, difficult to modify, heavy and often expensive bottle needed to fill, getting bottle filled……

 

[maxtrouble]

@Jayboy - Same thing happened to me. Careful you do not fall down the springer rabbit hole! I now have more springers than PCP's and enjoy shooting them immensely.

Get some soup cans. Hang them with paracord so they reset to zero every time. They are the bees knees. The sound and reaction of a good impact on a can at 55 yards never gets old.

 

[Septicdeath]

I bought a PCP 5 years ago. I shot it for awhile, but didn't like all the pumping with a hand pump. I had already been shooting springers for years. Needless to say the PCP just sat.

I decided to sell it and haven't bought one since.

For my needs spring-piston guns suit me for target shooting and hunting. And I agree that hitting your mark with a springer is very satisfying. It takes a whole different skill set when shooting than a PCP or co2 gun.

Grab your gun, a tin of pellets and go. Simplicity.

 

[AirNGasman]

I think the Theoben Evolution was sold here as the Fenman. If they are the same gun, I owned one and still regret selling it.

Hey, nuts I is!

Actually no; I think the Fenman and Evolution were similar, but separate and distinct models separated by some years. I've owned both, as excerpted from Airgun Chronicles- Thirty Years Of Airgun Testing And Competition in the attachment.

View attachment Evo Fenman excerpt.pdf

 

[jkingrph]

Interesting…..

I fully understand that not everyone is able to operate a springer. This may be down to a disability or age issue in which case the PCP is the best choice but for others that haven’t shot a decent springer in years, give one a go…..you might be surprised. Things have moved on a great deal since my first BSA Meteor way back in the day.

I have two springers that I find difficult to cock, a Diana AirKing Pro, and a AA ProSport, The Diana is by far the most difficult, and gets very little use,

 

[rcs9250]

Jayboy, out of curiosity what distances do you typically shoot ? And do you hunt also ? Being you’re in the U.K. is your rifle 12FPE ? What caliber ?
I really like the simplicity aspect of a springer but am currently pretty much addicted to my PCP’s. I do have a TX200 .22cal.

 

[muddydogz]

I've always been a springer, pumper since i was a kid. I messed up about 10 years ago and dove head first into the pcp pool.
The messed up part was i sold a bunch of my high end springers to fund the new venture. But that road was littered with nails for me. I had a lot of problems and just didn't enjoy the ride like i thought i would. So now i've aquired a few decent springers back and couldn't be happier. Not dogging anyone on the pcp trail, it just wasn't for me.

 

[longdog]

Springer dude here! I own 1 PCP and it's a Prod. It's too easy to shoot and not very satisfying. Springers are a different story.
I'm 70 and still can shoot my TX200HC and R11 all day long.....love them springers!

 

[KWK]

"Has anybody else taken this route?" Yes, and no.

Having owned several hundred airguns of all types in the last sixty years, a couple years ago I realized I was without springer ONE. It wasn't by conscious design; simply "happened" as PCPs supplanted other powerplants based on my airgunning activities (primarily long-range, high-power Extreme Field Target and Bench-Rest Silhouette competitions).

But last year I took a clean FWB 124 off a buddy's hands, that turned out to be a money pit! But now it's not only shooting great, but thanks to Maccari innards installed by Dave Slade, quite hot for a 124 (835 FPS with 8.4 grain JSBs). To some degree that rekindled my springer love (appreciation).

My new, pre-owned .177 Theoben Evolution is scheduled to deliver today. I'm hoping its weak shooting can be corrected by recharging the gas-piston chamber; but if not, thankfully I have an unused piston head that has lived the last quarter-century in a zip-lock bag in a parts cabinet. If that's needed, I'll leave the installation/tune to Dave again.

I've owned and loved a .177 Evolution before, so am really looking forward to this new (to me) classic "springer". However I won't be forsaking PCPs anytime soon. That's just NUTS!

I wouldn’t give up that spare crown seal. I doubt you’ll ever get another. Nobody will sell them separately. I have a few and not parting with them until I can’t cock one anymore. Zephyr seals.
I’m 63 and maintain a high fitness level so God willing it will be at least 20 years from now. And I will be shooting mine.
With His blessing I hope to live hardily well into my 90’s. He’s not finished with me yet. There’s more work for me to do.

 

[Jayboy]

Jayboy, out of curiosity what distances do you typically shoot ? And do you hunt also ? Being you’re in the U.K. is your rifle 12FPE ? What caliber ?
I really like the simplicity aspect of a springer but am currently pretty much addicted to my PCP’s. I do have a TX200 .22cal.

Hey Buddy, I generally keep to no further than 40yds. I’m .177 user and limited to 12ftlb. I have done loads of pest control with my Daystates on my golf course permission with rabbits mainly. I haven’t took my Walther yet as I feel I’ve a lot more improvement to make. The gun is more than capable……it’s me that’s not!

I also have a HW97 that my brother has been using for about 3 years that I’m getting back soon. There will be am learning curve there too. No complaints from me though my friend, it’s the learning and reacquainting myself that’s the most fun.

Whilst I’ll never criticise a pre charged rifle, there is a certain purity about a springer. A very simple yet effective method of shooting a tiny lump of lead through pieces of paper or an unfortunate pest. Spring, piston, breech, barrel and stock. Simples!