Other Sad stats for springers
- Thread starter PaulK62
- Start date
Like many, I started out with a springer and then "graduated" to powder burners.
Fast forward 50 years and I rediscovered airguns. Being wooed by the power and accuracy of PCPs that's what got my attention and I have a bunch of them.
But I still love my springers and have some really nice ones from Air Arms, Feinwerkbau, and Weihrauch.
So if I look at the market (my personal perspective), I dislike Co2 (cost, inconvenience and bad personal experience), SSPs are fine for low power target shooting, muli-pumps are ok for hunting but suck when plinking, and PCPs are great if you can afford the support infrastructure.
So that leaves springers - in two main categories: expensive, good quality airguns available on-line or from specialty stores and the inexpensive models readily available at local hardware and big-box stores.
So Joe-Public, both experienced PB shooters and total novices, with little knowledge of anything airgun beyond a Red Rider BB-gun looks at a cheap big-box store springer as a way of trying out pellet guns. Are we really surprised that springers are on the down fall?
I think that hard cocking, harsh shooting, magnum velocity-is-everything springers from make-a-quick-buck companies have soured people against springers and probably driven scores of potential shooters away from the hobby. With little or no demand for a reasonable quality, enjoyable springer, companies will go where the money is and start making gimmicky plastic "Star-Wars" style pellet shooters. Yeah, decent quality springers are on the "endangered" list.
For springers to thrive, we knowledgeable old farts need to mentor as many young people as we can. It's hard to beat a simple, easy cockiing springer (like a HW30/R7) for all day plinking fun - all the kids in my neighborhood (and many parents) have discovered that shooting in my backyard!
Rant done, soapbox is free
Cheers!
Fast forward 50 years and I rediscovered airguns. Being wooed by the power and accuracy of PCPs that's what got my attention and I have a bunch of them.
But I still love my springers and have some really nice ones from Air Arms, Feinwerkbau, and Weihrauch.
So if I look at the market (my personal perspective), I dislike Co2 (cost, inconvenience and bad personal experience), SSPs are fine for low power target shooting, muli-pumps are ok for hunting but suck when plinking, and PCPs are great if you can afford the support infrastructure.
So that leaves springers - in two main categories: expensive, good quality airguns available on-line or from specialty stores and the inexpensive models readily available at local hardware and big-box stores.
So Joe-Public, both experienced PB shooters and total novices, with little knowledge of anything airgun beyond a Red Rider BB-gun looks at a cheap big-box store springer as a way of trying out pellet guns. Are we really surprised that springers are on the down fall?
I think that hard cocking, harsh shooting, magnum velocity-is-everything springers from make-a-quick-buck companies have soured people against springers and probably driven scores of potential shooters away from the hobby. With little or no demand for a reasonable quality, enjoyable springer, companies will go where the money is and start making gimmicky plastic "Star-Wars" style pellet shooters. Yeah, decent quality springers are on the "endangered" list.
For springers to thrive, we knowledgeable old farts need to mentor as many young people as we can. It's hard to beat a simple, easy cockiing springer (like a HW30/R7) for all day plinking fun - all the kids in my neighborhood (and many parents) have discovered that shooting in my backyard!
Rant done, soapbox is free
Cheers!
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I tend to see the same thing. Shooting for accuracy and hunting are disciplines that require work without instant gratification. Most younger people are more content being entertained than participating in almost any discipline.
Screens and lazy parenting is destroying young people's attention spans. Now people label their kids ADHD and drug then as such when its the parent's fault for being a lazy parent to begin with. How often do you pre school children with electronics devices? This ruins children's ability to concentrate, contemplate. It totaly destroys imagination the greatest gift to a child. But thank goodness that the child is quiet for the parents. It all started with Gameboys. Now you see three and four year olds in strollers and restaurants with ipads.
As a society we're addicted to our phones but its really taking a toll on objective thinking and participating in activities of all kinds. There's a good many people on forums that talk way, way more than they actually do. Many of them flat out lie about their activities and results to inflate their sense of self. The screens are fun and a good way to share information but they should only be used to enhance an active life. Not replace it.
Rant over.
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Well said ! I have pictures of my grand kids in pajamas (just awake) with an I pad in their lap and a juice sippy lided cup .
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When I first got into air guns in the early 80's the Feinwerkbau was the springer of choice. If not mistaken, it was the gun used in the Olympics at the time. It had springs opposing each other to dampen vibration and up accuracy. It was also out of my price range.
I haven't heard much about those guns as of late now that PCP's are in style.
I have two springers that continue to surprise me. An HW 97 and an LGU, both in 177 and home tuned. On occasion, at 40 yards, they will keep up with my Daystate PCP's. I still love shooting them.
I haven't heard much about those guns as of late now that PCP's are in style.
I have two springers that continue to surprise me. An HW 97 and an LGU, both in 177 and home tuned. On occasion, at 40 yards, they will keep up with my Daystate PCP's. I still love shooting them.
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You made lots of solid points, but this is just hyperbole. I say that as a father of teens who were born into the Screen Era but did not and do not have destroyed imaginations, nor do their friends.
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So this gentleman’s personal channel statistics are supposed to reflect the entire industry? I’ve been into airguns for a bit more than two decades and never seen his content. I may have seen the name mentioned around the forums, but watching the linked video is my first time seeing him. Comes off like a nice guy, but nothing in that ramble that would suggest I need to watch more of his content. Some folks watch for entertainment, some watch for no BS data and answers to questions, some watch because the presenter’s delivery feels like talking to a friend. Nothing wrong with any of the above. I’m sure if you looked at the data behind some of the younger, flashier channels who know how to work the YouTube algorithm, it would appear that shooter interest takes a steep drop after 49, but I certainly don’t believe that to be true either.
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My life story……Not sure what this proves really, it's kinda what I'd expect to see.....
Folks of all ages generally start off with an entry level springer bought locally r gifted (starting off so not involved enough to delve into the online airgun world).
If interest grows they begin researching the Internet and discover the next step is Co2/ pcp as theyre easier to shoot.
They invest, and dive right into the sport, spending loads of money, until one day they wake up and realise they've got c××p all over the place, and shooting pcp's is boring, and then......
At mid life they go back to springers because they're more challenging to shoot, simpler to own, and the correct gun choice for a real man
Stats explained. You're welcome
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Ya..... I just don't see that collected over them all . Then where's the poll or survey I fill out to get this data ?
99% of moms choose jif over Peter Pan .. surveyed the one working at jif with job loss of jif not chosen?
Not you can see the trend to the younger looking at that tactikool. Military or starwars look over traditional. That starts with the X-box babysitter generation . Most you see today is why do you even have a gun of any kind to start . I definitely don't want you standing behind me that for sure ..
99% of moms choose jif over Peter Pan .. surveyed the one working at jif with job loss of jif not chosen?
Not you can see the trend to the younger looking at that tactikool. Military or starwars look over traditional. That starts with the X-box babysitter generation . Most you see today is why do you even have a gun of any kind to start . I definitely don't want you standing behind me that for sure ..
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50+ generation is the single largest population with the most wealth in the country. Definitely a plus when comparing.
In so far as the future of spring rifles, I believe there will always be a market for them. They fill a niche.
I've heard gloom and doom for springers since the 80s when pcps first were introduced. Yet put a quality springer up for sale and watch the bidding fly!!
We can't gauge the market by who is watching videos. I'm 63 and have little time for such a luxury.
Perhaps the reason why so many of the audience consists of older viewers is that they are the ones with the time to watch!
In so far as the future of spring rifles, I believe there will always be a market for them. They fill a niche.
I've heard gloom and doom for springers since the 80s when pcps first were introduced. Yet put a quality springer up for sale and watch the bidding fly!!
We can't gauge the market by who is watching videos. I'm 63 and have little time for such a luxury.
Perhaps the reason why so many of the audience consists of older viewers is that they are the ones with the time to watch!
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The demographic data don't surprise me at all, and I share a concern about the demise of the high end spring gun market. Consider the following: LGV, LGU, APS20, new FWB sport. All these were recent attempts to bring a new high quality spring gun to market, and all failed. The market is dying, and no manufacturer is going down that rabbit hole again. So (thankfully) we are left with HW, AA and Diana.
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You must admit that spring piston design is a bit Neanderthal. Younger generations have less mechanical skills, attention span, and patience to work on these.
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The springer I can shoot right out of it box without spending extra to get it to.
Ever kinda notice like springer guys shoot off there shoulder and lots use irons sights , but near all these fancy PCP guys only shoot bench with a 50x scope locked down in some shooting vice contraption things or something to remove any shooter errors .. then brag how good there gun is . Lol
Oh then there gun ain't got sights so extra money to buy a optic $$. Then there gun shoot on its own so add a compressor $$ hand pump $ air tanks. $$$
I could buy another nice quality springer on what you got to pay to even got to shoot for hat pcp ..
PCP .. pretty costly product
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I could substitute my name for Bob's. If I count every operation into loading a long range cenrerfire round it's in the middle 30.s, for each round. Now in my late 70s with arthritic hands I am limiting my cf brnch matches . From 2 or 3 every weekend to about 2 or 3 a month. Lots of work involved to be competitive. The younger shooters are happy to bang steel and yes it can be fun. I am amazed at how many are doing it with factory ammo. But, my springers fill the void quite well. Reloading now is...... open the pellet tin, open the action, insert pellet.....good to go. When I was a kid we all had a bb gun to get started. What percentage of kids have a bb gun today? Probably too small to be statistically significant.
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Personally, I own a whopping ONE PCP and don't see that changing anytime soon. I do own a "few" springers and I definitely intend to add to that group...
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Don't get me wrong McNasty. I think springers have their place and are capable of shooting very well. I have four of them plus a bunch of PCPs. Sights? At my age, yup, I need an optic. I bought an HW95 and at 10M my groups with the OEM iron sights were over an inch. After mounting a scope, I could almost shoot one holers. Now take my FWB300SU with it's Olympic style peep sights, that one will shoot as good as a scoped rifle. To me, accuracy is the most important thing.
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It's kinda like a bunch of dinosaurs lamenting the arrival of the ice age.
One youtubers viewer stats does not define an industry. Young people don't watch old guys rebuild pellet rifles on youtube for a BUNCH of reasons.
The market is what it is for springers. If you want to grow the sport take a young person shooting.
We are isolating ourselves from the younger generation in many ways. It shows in our society. We often assume ourselves at odds with the younger generations. It is no wonder that we often don't share opinions or pastimes. It's a two way street
Every young man will shoot a pellet rifle if they have a chance. Very few have it on their priority list. Very few have any exposure to air rifles or someone who will stop talking divisive politics long enough to teach them.
The generation gap has been real for hundreds of years. Very few old guys can mix with younger guys on a social level. The ones that can pass on their wisdom. The ones that can't simply take it to the grave with them along with their misconceptions about "the younger generation".
One youtubers viewer stats does not define an industry. Young people don't watch old guys rebuild pellet rifles on youtube for a BUNCH of reasons.
The market is what it is for springers. If you want to grow the sport take a young person shooting.
We are isolating ourselves from the younger generation in many ways. It shows in our society. We often assume ourselves at odds with the younger generations. It is no wonder that we often don't share opinions or pastimes. It's a two way street
Every young man will shoot a pellet rifle if they have a chance. Very few have it on their priority list. Very few have any exposure to air rifles or someone who will stop talking divisive politics long enough to teach them.
The generation gap has been real for hundreds of years. Very few old guys can mix with younger guys on a social level. The ones that can pass on their wisdom. The ones that can't simply take it to the grave with them along with their misconceptions about "the younger generation".
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Just pcp is not convenient . I like to shoot to my convenience, not the guns ..
The PCP guns are fine and a few I kinda like to try out , but that added cost just to get to shoot one pellet .. wow .. just the air is nuts pvp runs out your day is over . Springer guy still out there shooting and only cost is another pellet . Sure there's maintenance stuff to cost like a $20 spring and seal combo .. lol.
PCP just comes off more a racket then hobby. Well that's just me in my opinion unless there a big breakthrough in support stuff. . like how a bout sights on the gun a easy start
The PCP guns are fine and a few I kinda like to try out , but that added cost just to get to shoot one pellet .. wow .. just the air is nuts pvp runs out your day is over . Springer guy still out there shooting and only cost is another pellet . Sure there's maintenance stuff to cost like a $20 spring and seal combo .. lol.
PCP just comes off more a racket then hobby. Well that's just me in my opinion unless there a big breakthrough in support stuff. . like how a bout sights on the gun a easy start
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