Rookie Mistakes?

[marquette]

My first and biggest mistake was buying my first Airgun. The portal it opened into the rabbit hole has cost me a Lot of money! I’m not sure that getting into drugs may not have been cheaper.

 

[JDR]

My rookie mistake was marrying a woman who is against my collecting airguns. Should have realized that from the ass chewing I got for spending my honeymoon money I saved on an FWB 124D one month before our wedding..

 

[darrylray]

What are some of your airgun rookie mistakes that you learned from? For example, I learned that you get what you pay for. If you are into quality, then don't get the gun that comes in a box on isle 7 next to the gym shorts at Big Five and put a $20 scope on it expecting it to last. I also learned that stores like Wallymart, Big 5, etc. do not sell a high quality ammo and that my cheap airgun with cheap ammo explains a lot about why I made those lousy groups and missed shots on pests. It would be both fun and educamational to read some of your experiences from when you were a newbie.

What are some of your airgun rookie mistakes that you learned from? For example, I learned that you get what you pay for. If you are into quality, then don't get the gun that comes in a box on isle 7 next to the gym shorts at Big Five and put a $20 scope on it expecting it to last. I also learned that stores like Wallymart, Big 5, etc. do not sell a high quality ammo and that my cheap airgun with cheap ammo explains a lot about why I made those lousy groups and missed shots on pests. It would be both fun and educamational to read some of your experiences from when you were a newbie.

Shooting, owning, and maintaining air guns is not the same thing as regular firearms. The terminology, parts, procedures, and techniques are much different. The first thing to do is to read as many articles, books, and magazines as possible to get up to speed. Then watch YouTube videos to answer any questions you have after your research. Then find a local club or group of air gun shooters who are willing to let you shoot with them and ask all the questions you still have. Pay close attention to the gear they use, and take their advice (with a grain of salt) when asking about guns, ammunition, or places to shoot!

 

[Tumblinginflight]

“What exactly did you sell(one or two examples) that you can’t replace now?”

Not totally irreplaceable like custom work, but as examples it’d be pretty rare to see a Theoben Eliminator with Bushnell Elite 4200 package, or a Falcon FN19 walnut skeletonized come up for sale- in pristine condition- these days. I can’t say I miss anything enough to track one down, risk buying online, pay today’s premium for premium condition, and possibly deal with a rebuild anyway to get back in top form. However, if I had kept those and some others, I think current me would be pretty happy with that decision.

 

[ChefSparrowRagazzi]

Sending an airgun via USPS mail ( nightmare) and feet in photos of guns.

 

[Vetmx]

The biggest rookie and non rookie mistake I see is believing everything you read or see in a video. The biggest rookie mistakes I made was one, a bottle gun and a hand pump. Two, diving into the deep end of the pool before really understanding how a PCP works. But those were different times back then. We just didn’t have people to hold our hand like now. It’s like you had to establish yourself and get some street cred before the guys who really knew their stuff helped you.

 

[Vetmx]

Sending an airgun via USPS mail ( nightmare) and feet in photos of guns.

Just sitting here laughing. You and those feet. Staying your course. I admire that.

 

[jkingrph]

Just sitting here laughing. You and those feet. Staying your course. I admire that.

Sending anv airgun via USPS mail ( nightmare) and feet in photos of guns.

I have not sent any, but received several via USPS. Most recently was a FWB 602 rifle. action and barrel removed from stock and so well packed by the shipper the only way it could have been damage was to have a truck run over it.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I learned to record myself tearing down an air rifle. That makes reassembly easier. I’ve rushed and reassembled my valve return spring backwards in one of my Bulldogs. That buggered up the poppet, which got stuck in the spring, and scratched the valve body. I chose to send it in to a professional for a valve replacement.

It’s also good to ask questions first. I recall hammering some 3D printed barrel supports down over the barrel before someone read my post, saw the photos, and suggested that I sand the holes in the supports to open them up a bit. I thought they came already fitted to the barrel. The stuff we do when we don’t know.

 

[Arkansas_Airgunner]

1. Taking YT Video reviews as Gospel, and buying into them (2x)

2. Jumping on the JSB Bandwagon as the "GOAT" pellets. While they ARE good pellets, some others outshine them in a few of my rifles.

3. Buying a small shoebox size compressor thinking it is the be all end all for my needs. Its not. 4 compressors later I finally got a Yong Heng and haven't looked back since.

4. At least I haven't ever bought really cheap glass for my stuff. Thats a plus I guess