(SOLVED) AV Avenger vs Umarex Gauntlet .25 for first pcp (SOLVED DAR25 GEN2)

Hello fellow shooters. Long time reader first time poster here. I'm a broke father of 4 and getting into Pcp. I'm completely torn on this decision your experience and feedback are greatly appreciated. My first decision would be marauder. But unfortunately that's just not attainable. I have absolutely no issue tinkering on the gauntlet for issues I've read about. So thoughts and opinions are once again greatly appreciated (UPDATE DAUGHTER NOW WANTS DAR.177)
 
If the price difference isn't tugging too hard at you, I'd say get the Avenger. I'm a tinkerer too and have some highly favored QB79 and QB78 HPA conversions (the platform on which the Gauntlet is based) but the externally-adjustable regulator and sidelever and higher fill pressure of the Avenger make it worth it in my opinion.

Or if you are open to other suggestions, have a look at the discussion on the newly released model from DAR

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/dynamic-air-rifles-25
 
Gauntlet 3 year warranty vs Avenger 1 year.

I believe the Gauntlet will give less problems.

The Avenger has the same weak poppet/valve seal that it's predessor already proved faulty. Regulator creep already noted by first hand users.

The Gauntlet requires up to 3000psi fill that's more manageable with a hand pump vs 4351psi for the Avenger. Once past 2500psi it gets really hard to pump. Can't imagine pumping past 4000psi!!!

I have not heard nor read about Gauntlets reg creeping probably because only 3000psi max fill so the regs don't act weird.

Gauntlet already been around several years now. Only complaints I heard was the 25 caliber posted on this forum not too long ago. I wouldn't buy a 25 caliber anything as my first PCP if I had to pump it real frequently plus ammo more expensive in 25 as compared to 177 and 22.

Gauntlet are cheap if you shop smart especially in 177 my personal favorite caliber for my Gauntlets it's the quietest and super accurate however the 22 is still ok accuracy wise under an inch at 50 yards but the 177 is less than half that group size.

3 year warranty for the Gauntlet vs 1 year warranty Avenger.




 
Lol sounds like you been down that road before. Well said. Thanks for that. Think I'm actually leaning towards the DAR I messaged all 3 companies today with inquiries and they almost immediately got back with me. I feel like my money and me as a customer is more important to me plus their rifles look amazing. Thanks to nervous twig and odoyle. I'd just never heard of them anywhere but I've seen those two post. I really appreciate everyones time and thoughts. DAR it is.
 
I'd say sleep on it, don't rush to judgment. Also, what are you intending to use it for? .25 is great for many hunting tasks, but we don't know what you want to hunt or even if you want to hunt, and at what approximate ranges. That kind of thing makes a difference -- as Odoyle suggests, it might even make a difference in whether to go for .25 at all.

Remember you're also going to be wanting enough cash in pocket for a scope. You can get a hand pump for $40 to $80 that will probably be fine, but then you want a filter for it and that's another maybe $25 to 40, depending. A cleaning kit wouldn't hurt. And you still need some pellets! Even going low-guess, I'd say that's another $200 bucks, about. All not counting shipping.

So yeah, plan it out, sleep on it, maybe save for a while more to be more sure you'll like what you get. No point getting, say, a gun or a scope that you wind up not liking. It could put you off the hobby entirely.
 
Thankfully I invested in good glass a while ago with a Vortex diamondback tactical 4-16 FFP. But it'll be used for hunting, plinking, range. Got everything minus a hand pump. My daughter is a ridiculous shot. She was runner up in archery nationals. And from what I've read the .25 seems to be more stable at the 100y mark. I got her a break barrel and she's just crazy with her shots. So this purchase is for that purpose as well. So that she can get into youth shooting.
 
I agree with Yo'Doyle. Check out southern gunner on youtube he's got a gauntlet that shoots lights out. Reasons I'd pass on the avenger are due to reliability and durability- specifically that plastic pic rail and ultra bottom dollar regulator/internals.

FURTHER Reliability concern here...

Start at 53:00...

https://youtu.be/yHhMJxPzwq4
 
Daughter likes the look of the gauntlet. And wants .177. So that'll be her Christmas present. For competition shooting she wants it bad and already has colors picked out so we can Hydro dip the plastics



Id recommend a supertune kit from Hajimoto Production's for the gauntlet. They are pretty darn stiff to cock for a grown adult. The kit will give you nice adjustability and cut the cocking force in half.