N/A What " One gun " to buy

[jackinelgin]

That is what I used to say. Now I own several high end springers and I shoot them more than my PCP's or PB's. The only thing you need is a springer, some good pellets and a few evil soup cans hung up with para cord for a damn fine shootin' session.

I recommend an HW30 to start with. I was shooting nickel sized spinners this morning with the HW30 until the wind picked up. Switched over to a new soup can and watched the mighty HW30 zip right through both sides of a brand new can at 55 yards.

Every bit as accurate as a PCP without the support equipment. Easy all day shooter. Excellent trigger. Has that wonderful German *snick* sound when cocked.

Pair it with a BKL 260 mount and a Hawke 2-7x32 and Bob's your uncle. Give it to your kids when you go to the Big Hunt.

You only live once, never coming back again. Enjoy it while you can.

I was on the fence about buying a HW30. Had a R7 a few years back that I sold in a moment of weakness. I then read your post,specifically the last sentence. A HW30 is on the way. My arthritic hands will appreciate it and I'll enjoy while I can.

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

HW95 walnut is on sale at airgus of Arizona and get you a Hornet spring Kit at air rifle headquarters and get a vortek seal and also get some moly and heavy tar form him also. It is a sweet shooter...

Sorry I realize a lot of people like them rifles but there's zero chance I'll ever get one, not my cup of tea

 

[maxtrouble]

I was on the fence about buying a HW30. Had a R7 a few years back that I sold in a moment of weakness. I then read your post,specifically the last sentence. A HW30 is on the way. My arthritic hands will appreciate it and I'll enjoy while I can.

That is great news! Mine likes the H&N Field Target Trophies 8.64 452 head size. But actually they are not pellet picky, seems to like anything between 7 and 9 grains. I am sure Crosman 7.9's would work in a pinch and the big box stores carry them.

Let us know how you like it, everyone should have a HW30!

 

[Vana2]

Interesting read.

Seem that all posts of this type have strong, polarized options. Don't know, I like a wide variety of airgun brands/types and keep an open mind to new offerings or disciplines. I respect other opinions and preferences even if mine differ.

As far as "one gun", until someone invents the perfect "do everything perfectly" airgun, that's not a practical solution for all my shooting interests. Nor is it something I would wish on anybody!

My first "real" gun was a Slavia 618 that I got in the 60's (still have it and shoot it regularly). Went from the break barrel to a Crosman 101 pumper and then to a FWB 124 which became the ONE airgun in my life for 3 decades.

After rediscovering my love for airguns I jumped straight into PCPs with only two springers that I had always wanted (FWB300S and a TX200) purchased as a distraction.

I really enjoy my PCPs but there's something to be said about the simplicity of a break barrel. Heard a lot about the Weihrauch springers, (my two HW100 PCPs - .177 & .22 - are excellent) so I bought a HW50 (.22) for pesting and later a HW30 (.177) as a plinking rifle. My only regret is that I waited so long in getting those springers. That light little HW30 is such a pleasure to shoot.

I can understand (from many years of personal experience) that toys take a back seat to family necessities but now that I'm retired and financially comfortable I can't see putting a price limit on an item... I buy what I want and enjoy it while I can.

Cheers!

 

[jackinelgin]

HW30 arrived yesterday. Threw a Tasco airgun scope on it and it took about 10 shots to zero at 10 yards in my basement. Now my HW50 has a little brother.

 

[jackinelgin]

Had some H&N FTT 8.64s that shot well in my HW50. Did well here at 10 yards in my basement. Any flyers are on me.

 

[maxtrouble]

@jackinelgin - Looks like a real shooter! I hope you like the HW30. It is such a great rifle everyone should own one.

I have managed to collect three now. One synthetic, one new one and a Frankenstein one with parts from three HW30's. They all shoot and will put a smile on your face.

 

[Dv693]

I seem to be able to convince myself to spend well over 300.00 on springers even
When I have bills to pay!

 

[beerthief]

I hear that. I really want an HW97K laminate blue as my one and done springer, but the price is up there for what it really is.

IF you can , just shoot a finely tuned HW 97 , That will convince you to spend the money . i do not know where "The Lab" is in the USA , but if you were in a few hours drive i would bring my 97 over and let you shoot a Smoothly tuned HW97 . (or TX200 also. )

 

[Dv693]

When I re-entered the air rifle world as an adult about 10 years ago, I had my mind set on one thing.
I had to have a pcp. I remembered hating the jump, twang, and general inaccuracy my friends springers had when I was a kid.
(I am talking 1970 ish , so I don’t remember what they had.) After buying and shooting and loving my Crosman discovery, then Marauder,
I started getting curious about all these nice springers people were talking about from “Across the pond”.
I got impulsive one day and bought a Diana 34, and ordered the vortek kit at the same time. I didn’t realize I was creating a monster
That is now devouring me every time I have a few extra bucks. Now all I want to shoot is springers, nice ones, with nice scopes. Damn it.

 

[Just Zack 2]

I see this is an older thread, but sense it's been brought up again...

Manny, with that field experience you got I doubt what tool being used would make a huge difference. If you really want a new gas piston shooter I have a few suggestions, neither are particularly high end though.

The Crosman Valiant, makes 22-24fpe in .22cal or 17-18fpe in .177. These have the NP Elite powerplant (29mm piston -NP2 with minor updates). A wood thumbhole stock. It's in between the original Trail/Titan and Trail XL. If you want a synthetic stock version a Benji Ironhide is basically the same thing.

Gamo Magnum, makes about 26-28fpe in .22 real world testing, depends on pellet weight. Nothing fancy but dependable. These have the fastest shot cycle of any factory gas ram I've experienced. People not big on Gamo's here though.

I don't know what shippings like to the islands, but figure that's include into price. Them Crosman/Benji guns getting harder to find, I'd avoid Crosman multi-shot versions as the design kills off some power and seem to have other flaws. I'd skip the Hatsan gas rams due to reliability issues.

Really them break barrels you got are probably all you need, but I understand the "wants". Just nobody making nicer Nitro Pistons for decent prices.

That's all I got, Take it easy.

 

[drpietrzak]

For me, one of these.

AA TX200 MKIII
HW 97
Diana 54

 

[SteveV]

First, spring guns are piston guns. Gas ram guns are piston guns. If you prefer cheapie break barrels, so be it. But 5 pages?

 

[BABz58]

First, spring guns are piston guns. Gas ram guns are piston guns. If you prefer cheapie break barrels, so be it.

Here’s a couple of those cheap,awful “piston guns”

 

[SteveV]

Here’s a couple of those cheap,awful “piston guns”

View attachment 521786

I View attachment 521787

Pretty sure those weren't cheap?

 

[Just Zack 2]

First, spring guns are piston guns. Gas ram guns are piston guns. If you prefer cheapie break barrels, so be it. But 5 pages?

This was really finished on page 2. Made it to 5 as folks are passionate about their piston guns. The OP don't like coil springs, most gas pistons aren't high end... Page 6 anyone?