To buy a springer or not to buy a springer?

[BabySherman]

Since my ratter recently died, raccoons and rodents returned to my wooden suburb home. I catch a minimum of one rat each night with a trap if I set them.
My preferred method of dispatch is my Sig MPX HPA. 177, however my compressor has been temporarily down now for a month.
This got me looking at fixed barrel springers. Should I have a springer for rats when air supply is not available?
I love that it's a one shot too because that's most likely what would be required each night. I like that they are heavy in weight and hard to cock, because even though I have all my guns locked up all the time when I'm not using them, I do have little ones, including a toddler.
A quiet .177 springer is such a better choice for nightly ratting here.
I been looking at the Diana 56th in .177 and posted this to see others thoughts on the whole subject.
I really don't need a springer, when my compressor is working, and will be working soon, and I'm trying so hard to unclutter. But that Diana 56th looks so sweet and it's a better fit overall. But I really dont need it, do I?
Any help much appreciated.

 

[Deleted 45061]

Hw95. 'nuff said

 

[Lewis]

Great choice as would be an HW97 or TX200. Beware though, quality springers can be addictive and you may well end up shooting more than you think!

 

[Nico5999]

You really can't go wrong with any of the Air Arms, HW, or Diana offerings.

If you're looking for a Cadillac, heirloom, gun-pic springer, go with a TX200. Other ones will get the job done, but in a less classy and refined way

The Diana 56's are cool but they murder scopes.

 

[crowski]

HW77, HW97 or the TX200-Pro Sport. I find all 3 deadly accurate. The 200 and PS looks better, the 77 and 97 are easier to load, as far as fixed barrel goes IMO. Good luck.
Yes you really need a springer. Crow

 

[Str8tshooter]

D56 is a great BR Rifle, the one I would choose for 25M BR competitive shooting. But for your main use I would take a look at a HW90 with iron sites, keep it loaded so all that is necessary is to grab and shoot.

 

[beerthief]

Honestly i would say the HW97 or 77 would be your best for the $$ . either one has more than enough power for a rat and less $$ than a TX200.
Probably the same $$ as Diana 54 or 56 but not a scope killer reputation .

 

[Greenarrow]

If you aren't set on a fixed barrel springer I would consider either the HW30S or the HW50S. Smaller, light weight, plenty of power and a much more user friendly set up for sneaking around the house. Not enough oomph for a racoon though. Just a thought...

 

[abqjoe]

I've had several springers including Diana's and the only one I have left since getting into PCP's in 2019 is my Weihrauch HW97K in 22 cal. I don't shoot it much, heck, I might even sell it at some point, but it's as accurate as my PCP's up to 40 yards.

 

[pdxFrank]

if your target is less than say, oh, 75-100 feet, ya really don't need to spend $500 on a break-barrel that'll do the job.

just about any of them will, so find one YOU like. this is an HW fan-boy site, so beware of the bias.

here's the first sample i found... literally a $20 rifle from Walmart... still shoots better than i can.

 

[Treefrog]

Have you checked out the Seneca Dragonfly?

J~

 

[pdxFrank]

Have you checked out the Seneca Dragonfly?

i gotta ask, for someone who "never have cared for springers all that much", have you? i wouldn't recommend it and i've never touched one. there's enough quality complaints, i'd avoid it. check the reviews.

 

[boscoebrea]

Got all of them,you want power;the RWS 48-52 have it,and can be found for less $$.That said I like the HW97 better,both are accurate and a little heavy.....for walk hunting the break barrel R-9 or HW95 is my favorite.
No ! you do not need a big heavy expensive springer to kill,you need to be a good shot and have enough power with you to do the job; the "thing" is you want a fixed barrel for whatever reason,that makes your choices cost more$$.
I would not get a 56, unless it is a F-100!

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

There was a beautiful Diana 430L in the classified last week,.....I would take a look at that one for sure

 

[BabySherman]

You really can't go wrong with any of the Air Arms, HW, or Diana offerings.

If you're looking for a Cadillac, heirloom, gun-pic springer, go with a TX200. Other ones will get the job done, but in a less classy and refined way

The Diana 56's are cool but they murder

You really can't go wrong with any of the Air Arms, HW, or Diana offerings.

If you're looking for a Cadillac, heirloom, gun-pic springer, go with a TX200. Other ones will get the job done, but in a less classy and refined way

The Diana 56's are cool but they murder scopes.

With it's accuracy I was hoping to work with iron sights on it. Is there iron sights available for it. Would I have to glue a front sight? It's at 20yards, maybe no sights at all?

 

[terrykuz]

I have a Bauer compressor and a big scba tank.
I tried a couple quality springers since going pcp, and the springers just sat. I always go pcp.
I would think about a scba tank, and rat poison in the short term.

 

[jps2486]

Most of these suggesed guns are big, heavy and expensive. Quality guns, for sure, but aren't these a bit much for your suburban home? I don't know how close you are to neighbors, so only you can judge that. I great quality compact springer that would do the job on rats is a HW30 or Beeman R7 (Same gun). It's quiet and accurate. Not super powerful, but enough to do the job. The Diana 48/52/56 is a very heavy gun, hard to cock, and are scope killers.

 

[maxtrouble]

I suggest fixing your compressor and not purchasing a springer. Springers are worse than PCP's. Once you start, it is hard to stop. I purchased an excellent fixed barrel HW77. Then a HW30 and a HW50. Now I have several more springers. They are like golf clubs. You NEED more than one springer once you purchase the first one. Cannot play golf with one club, cannot shoot one springer. When I go shooting I always take three or four or five and maybe six because they are so much fun to shoot.

 

[Sqwirl57]

There was a beautiful Diana 430L in the classified last week,.....I would take a look at that one for sure

I wouldn't. They burn through breech seals which have to be custom made. Its a cool gun for a collector but I would not recommend one for someone in this situation.

 

[cjtamu]

I have several of the rifles mentioned and all would do the job. No one has mentioned the Diana 34/36 break barrel. Same gun, 36 has a fancier stock. It’s a hard hitting gun and my Model 34 in .177 is plenty accurate. Utah Airguns has the RWS Diana Model 34 in .22 right now for $180. Believe with free shipping. A steal at that price. Warranty work could be an issue due to mess with Umarex/Umarex USA/RWS etc. But, the guns are durable and tune kits are easy to find.

Edit: Just saw a nice looking Weihrauch HW50S .22 for sale in Classifieds. Excellent gun. If we didn’t have one already I’d probably jump on it.