Why do you still shoot springers?

[Nico5999]

Hey AGN,

I've always been a springer guy - first "good" one was a Beeman R10 in .20 (that has paid for itself 10x over with all the winnings it has earned me), then a BSA Supersport, lefty TX200 tuned at 12 fpe, and very recently an AA Pro Elite in .22, I love springers. Side note - the Pro Elite is just a phenomenal rifle. Gonna do a thread on it soon.

But, it seems like a lot of shooters don't. It seems that shooters at a lot of the big competitions think that they're sort of a novelty that has lost its place. Springers don't really get any attention.

For this thread, I'm not interested in discussing why this is the case...at all. It seems that the topic "why are there no new springers coming out?" has been beaten to death on the forums.

What I AM interested in, is WHY y'all still shoot springers. What are some of the advantages they have over PCP's? Is it convenience? No fill source needed? Low-cost of entry compared to PCP's? Higher quality per dollar (i.e. you can get a TX200 for $800 o HW97 for ~$650 and similarly priced PCP's don't have the same heirloom quality)? What else?

I'm trying to compile a sort of "master-list" for when I talk to new shooters.

I'd appreciate any responses from the springer shooters that here.

Best,

Nico

P.S. - here's my BEAUTIFUL Lefty Walnut TX200 with a Falcon X50 on top  

 

[jkingrph]

You listed my reasons.

Convenince, no need to carry or have an air bottle, or a compressor.

Cost, a top quality springer will be much less than a PCP, along with all the equipment needed to shoot it, unless you want the work of a hand pump, and then it looks like many of the better PCP guns are still more expensive.

My springers have more of a traditional look than most of the PCP guns I see. Even with a nice wood stock a PCP looks weird to me with an air bottle hanging somewhere on it.

I started with springers almost 50 years ago and that is what I am familiar with.

 

[AirShot]

Ease of use, simplicity, enjoy the challenge it takes to shoot a springer well. Once a springer is mastered, it makes shooting firearms all the better!! PCP is to easy, becomes boring and to much hassle to carry all the extras.

Over my many years of shooting springers I have noticed serious firearm competitors use springers as practice to hone their shooting skills.

Best of all....just plain fun !!!

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Precision, balance, elegance, accuracy, efficiency, quality.

Springers are unique to themselves in their form and function. That alone is enough to warrant using them. But a finely built, finished, and tuned springer needs to be experienced.

 

[JFS737]

As noted by a few... Simplicity, challenge, accessibility, utility. I like knowing it's ready to go at any moment, which is often but not always the case with my PCP's. It's also good practice... as shooting a springer translates in many ways and could improve overall skill.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Great Question!

1 Airshot said it! Makes one a real marksman.

2. ease of operation noted above

3. longevity ( not a bunch of rubber o-rings)

5. Tuning and adjusting ( builds gun knowledge)

6. Aesthetics (PCP’s are weird looking) noted above

7. dependable (KISS theory)

8. Self contained. noted above

9. Traditional 

10. Heirlooms

I guess I’m a springer guy!

P.S. Have you ever heard the explosion of a empty 2 liter bottle filled with a 100 pounds of air? So, I get nervous resting my head on a bottle filled with 4000 pounds of air. Probably just me.

 

[biohazardman]

I shoot springers when I run out of air, for my PCP guns, or just cuz I have them sometimes which is not often enough. They are kind of hard for my screwed up arms to cock these days, although I have at least managed to cock them for the last couple of years now. So, they don't get all of the attention they probly deserve. I shoot the spring guns pretty good, especially the Diana 54. Still they in no way compare to my PCPs accuracy wise unless it’s in close and I seldom shoot at less than 100 yards. Still the arms are slowly getting better so who knows what is in the future for my springers. They will never leave me though as the Diana 6G, 45 and 54 are all great guns as far as I am concerned.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

A PCP is like a dog: unconditional forgiveness, a Springer is like a cat; you have to earn it.

 

[funkermunker]

It's a mechanical marvel that doesn't have a need for batteries, air, or any other accessory other than some pellets and you. Independence. I liken it to a mechanical (or "automatic") wrist watch of which I use as well. My watch is a well-engineered conglomeration of moving parts that was fine-tuned over decades, and here this little machine sits on my wrist, was affordable, and does a great job of telling time. A springer shares many of the same attributes and both with the added benefit of becoming heirlooms. They'll work for someone (hopefully my great great great grandkids) long after I'm gone, wherever they go, which is kind of cool if you think about it.

 

[Schnauzershine]

I shoot them for different purposes, as I would guess a lot (most?) people do. When I want to drill hole in hole at distance for the sake of precision, PCPs get me there fast. When I want the zen of break/cock/press pellet into breach/ close/shoulder/settle body/settle mind/ shoot/pause/look/ repeat, nothing comes close to a springer. An hour or so, in touch with the universe for just that little while, and I’m a new woman. Not even psychotherapy can give me this, and my HW 50 costs a whole lot less. 

 

[bertman77mk2]

Simplicity—ready by the front door!

 

[sticman77]

for me its simplicity, in conjunction with single shot (my springer) and taking your time. i can really get through pellets in a single shot PCP and have fun too. but i can extend that fun quite a bit with my weihrauch, without worrying about pressure or 100 other things you need to with a PCP.

i also have less ideas pop in my head about how i should modify this or that with a springer. overall simplicity like others have stated!

 

[M63Ural]

If you have the gun and the pellets it likes you are good to go. 

The downside the powerful ones are hard to shoot.

Jim

 

[boscoebrea]

Great question,the traditional feel of quality,the discipline it takes to shoot them good...how very easy they are to just grab and shot .

Good springers almost demand a relationship,the more you give the more you get back.

Another important quality is many Never go out of style,classic lines and feel...and wood...

 

[MJS]

 My life doesn't revolve around airgunning, but when I want to shoot, I want to shoot. Springers have their own power source and they last for decades.

I've had 2 PCP's: a PRod and a Maximus, both in .22. I was lights out with the Maximus - 1" spinner all frgn' day at 40 yd. Amazing rifle when you install a lighter trigger spring. After 4 yrs, it sprung a leak. Then the pump sprung a leak. The PRod still holds air and I got a new pump - which sprung a leak but I fixed it. I'll keep the PRod as my only PCP until it leaks, then I'll probably sell it. I don't like messing with PCP leaks.

I'm much better with a PCP, but I do this for fun and occasional light pest control. A springer is fine.

BTW - I just bought an HW30s in .22 and it's a blast to shoot.

 

[TiredRooster]

I've recently found myself moving more into the PCP side of the sport out of curiosity more than anything.But, it has not nor will it ever diminish my love for springers.

I love the mechanical aspect to them. I love the craftsmanship and materials that go into quality springers. I think higher end springers are beautiful to look at. They are like works of art. But besides all that, from a more practical perspective. I love shooting them because it takes actual effort and development of skill to shoot one really well. I also love that all I need is my springer and a pouch of pellets and I'm good to go!!! No air gages to pay attention to. No bottles to carry around, no compressors to worry with.......and generally a springer is a far sturdier piece of gear. They will last a lifetime even if not babied very much.

And being able to hunt with confidence and efficiently take small game with ease using a good spring rifle is unbelievably satisfying! 

 

[sticman77]

And being able to hunt with confidence and efficiently take small game with ease using a good spring rifle is unbelievably satisfying! 

this too! much less worried about a piston seal suddenly going out, than one of many o rings!

 

[OldSpook]

Why not?

 

[JEFFPPC]

New to this game. My reason was, all I need is a tin of pellets. Nothing else required. Plus since I have been and still am very involved in cenerfire competion , no reloding, no cleaning, no shortage of overpriced componets, its win win to me. 

 

[jkingrph]

It's a mechanical marvel that doesn't have a need for batteries, air, or any other accessory other than some pellets and you. Independence. I liken it to a mechanical (or "automatic" if you will) wrist watch of which I use as well. My watch is a well-engineered conglomeration of moving parts that was fine-tuned (evolved) over decades, and here this little machine sits on my wrist, was affordable, and does a great job of telling time. A springer shares many of the same attributes and both with the added benefits of becoming heirlooms. They'll work for someone (hopefully my great great great grandkids) long after I'm gone, wherever they go, which is kind of cool if you think about it.

I also am into mechanical/automatic watches. I especially like the ones with the display backs. Think of it, they too are "springers"! I still have the mechanical , manual wind, watch my parents bought me back about 1959-60, and have another with a rather history, at least for my wife and I. In the spring of 1974 I was stationed in Izmir, Turkey with the USAF and we took a tour to Israel. We had the chance to swim, or rather wade in the Dead Sea, where my wife felt something on the bottom in the shallows. She reached down and picked up a wristwatch which had the remains of a leather band, mostly decayed off. We took it up, rinsed it off with fresh water, wound it and it started running, No one claimed it so we kept it, and I finally put a new band on it a few years back, and occasionally wear it. It has never been serviced and still keeps good time. It's a rather plain model, stainless case, silver/gold dial, nothing fancy, but rather pristine looking, made by a Swiss company called Eloga. I tried researching and can only find some pictures of older models like mine. They now seem to be in the extremely high end "art deco" styles in gold/platinum and diamonds. and very expensive.