Can I assume that single pump pneumatics are good for this list? I'm a big fan of the Daisy 7xx pistols. I have had all of them, at one point or another. They represent a cheap plinker (but for the 777) that is also very accurate. My favorite is the 722. (I prefer that cal.) You can blow a can in two right quick with one. Makes a great bug hunter as well. Very high on the fun factor. My wife and I have a shooting pair of 722's we take camping for lazy sunny afternoons.
I wasn't going to but I can't help it..... In your very first sentence you say that this list will be based on practicality, albeit then you continue to say quality, performance , and legacy / production span which definitely describe the Sheridan. But I have to argue with practicality and I can't even believe I am myself. I love my Dans dearly but, how practical can an airgun be that only has an option of 2 or 3 pellets? And those must be ordered online unless you live next to PA. or some other source. Now I can go to my local Walmart and pick up a tin of .22 cal pellets for anyone of about 10 of my other pumpers and several of the vintage Crosman give my Dans a good run for the money in power and accuracy. Oh and those pellets are half the cost. Yes, my Dans are at or near the top of my list of favorites but, I don't think it's for practical reasons.Please carry on....
I think the top 5 classic pumpers - the guns that are most likely to have gotten us into shooting or hunting and also that stood the test of time would be the following - and its tough to rank them, because the different criteria kind of work against each other sometimes, but I'd say: 1. Benjamin 31x, 34x, 39x - these represent a continuum of evolution, each model almost blends into the next. 1940-present. Benjamin has to win, higher quality than most of the rest but also the clear longevity winner. 2. Sheridan C/C9/C9A - probably had a slight quality edge on the benjamin up until 1991 when the two lines began to share all critical parts, but the shorter lifespan (1949 - 2013) and less common pellet size I think bump it below the benjamin group3. Crosman 760 - clearly wins for getting more people introduced to the shooting sports, probably more sold than any other airgun (certainly any other pumper). 1964-present is a pretty good run. and while they were produced in incredible volume, they (were at least) also of decently high quality. 4. Crosman 1377/1322 - this pumper cannot be left off of a 'best list' , as it has whole websites, forums, tuners, etc, dedicated almost solely to it. possibly the most 'significant' pumper of the last 25 years. Also 1977 - present is a pretty good run, and anything born in 1977 must be pretty cool right 5. Daisy 880 (and associated variants/calibers) - Fills the same niche as the Crosman 760, and certainly the "best" and most enduring Daisy pumper. This was the gun I learned to hunt and shoot with many years ago. 1972 - present, not quite as long as the 760, but still a good long while. Honorable mention: Crosman 140/1400 - this is the only one on the list that I don't own, because it was mostly before my time. 1954-1978 is a pretty good run, and while quality was on par with the benjamins and sheridans, its longevity was much less, so its bumped down. less honorable mention: Crosman 2100/2200 - these were the 'adult' crosman pumpers after the 1400 was dropped but clearly is a step down in quality. They are significant in that they have been hanging in there for a while - 1978 to present, and offered a mid range in quality/performance at a decent price.
Sorry David.. we all have our favorites for different reasons. Some of us have different uses for the gun. The truth of the matter is, if you put the first 15 guns suggested in a poll the Sheridan C will most likely come out on top. Providing those polled have experience with all candidates.
The 1377 made the pump pistol popular.It's an American Classic!!!