A poll for springer shooters

[longhunter]

Springers.
I have to actually get my head into the game.
I own pumpers, and pcp's also, but, they're just point & shoot. No real challenge.

[Back_Roads]

 Been months since I shot a springer 

[avator]

If I'm just gonna slip out the door for a shot or 2 a springer is great. But to sit for an extended shooting session I prefer not to work that hard. For me, it's a hobby and it's supposed to be fun. I get it for you young whipper snappers.. I'm just not that anymore.
But, I do have several springers/gas rams in my arsenal and they will always have a place there.

[mobilemail]

Definitely the best part is simplicity.

[Hoosier Daddy]

For me, it is in reverse order...
First comes #2 then once you got that....  comes #1
 I get enjoyment out of the challenge a "new to me" Break barrel has to figuring out the hold / pellet it prefers and tweeking it as we get to know each other..
Then once that is found... may take weeks or longer, but the moment it happens puts a smile on my face.
THEN the simplicity and "Zen" kicks in. A shooting session, sitting at the bench with it somehow time stops.... Next thing you know hours have passed.
   BUT not all Jumpers choose you as their "master". I have a beautiful Mike M tune XS-12 that I bought for my Grand Daughter years ago. I can't get it to group worth snot... But "Dead-eye Lou" can pick up that gun after months of neglect and match me with any of my German guns! 

I'll add #4: If you can shoot a Springer well, you can shoot ANY gun well!
  Springers have taught me the concentration needed to shoot PB's at a level I never thought I could.

[tjk]

#2 and then #1 for me also. There is an art to shooting a springer well unlike any other type of gun.

[nced]

For me, it is in reverse order...
First comes #2 then once you got that....  comes #1
 I get enjoyment out of the challenge a "new to me" Break barrel has to figuring out the hold / pellet it prefers and tweeking it as we get to know each other..
Then once that is found... may take weeks or longer, but the moment it happens puts a smile on my face.
THEN the simplicity and "Zen" kicks in. A shooting session, sitting at the bench with it somehow time stops.... Next thing you know hours have passed.
   BUT not all Jumpers choose you as their "master". I have a beautiful Mike M tune XS-12 that I bought for my Grand Daughter years ago. I can't get it to group worth snot... But "Dead-eye Lou" can pick up that gun after months of neglect and match me with any of my German guns! 

I'll add #4: If you can shoot a Springer well, you can shoot ANY gun well!
  Springers have taught me the concentration needed to shoot PB's at a level I never thought I could.

"hold / pellet it prefers and tweeking it as we get to know each other.."
IMHO, blaming "hard to group" on the need of "springer zen" is rather simplistic when that an accurate springer will be inaccurate with a poor pellet choice, even with good "springer shooting form"!
For example, here are a couple pics of groups from the same HW95, only different pellets...........
Notice the "unobtanium" 7.9 grain die lot marked and dated boxed 7.9 grain Crosman Premier grouping in the upper left corner of this target.....


Only 18 yards comparing the Crosman Destroyer to the boxed CPLs. Seems that the only thing the Destroyer destroyed was the grouping........


The very worst grouping from my HW95 was with any Daisy pellet style............


Also, a "properly seasoned" bore can be helpful with a piston gun that generated heat with each shot so bore cleaning can be required on occasion. I have no experience with PCPs but I've read that they don't need frequent  bore cleaning (some claim none) shooting lubed pellets...........


 

Anywhoo, a couple pulled patches when accuracy starts dropping off (a couple tins of pellets) is a small price for the simplicity of shooting a springer, especially a break barrel!

[Motorhead]

 Going to agree with none of above 

Springers are NOT simple, but actually very complex in there firing behavior. 
Similar to petting a nervous cat, One minuet you have a nice calm purr going on, next moment teeth & claws having you question what was i thinking !!!

Only ZEN for me is when shooting very low power springers such as HW 30 / 55 / Walther LG's etc ...   There so docile there actually FUN to shoot.

Having been a primarily PCP shooter in FT competition these past 10+ years and having my fair share of success's .... The fun in shooting a PCP in precision events is just not as fun as it once was, so ... Taking up shooting a purpose built Springer for the next year or so in anticipation of shooting at the WFTF World Championships that happen in Pheonix AZ in @ November 2024 in the Piston class division.

WHY .. Because it's HARD & the challenge appeals to me sick as that is 

[Hoosier Daddy]

WHY .. Because it's HARD & the challenge appeals to me sick as that is 

EXACTLY!

[happymecanic]

Going to agree with none of above 

Springers are NOT simple, but actually very complex in there firing behavior. 
Similar to petting a nervous cat, One minuet you have a nice calm purr going on, next moment teeth & claws having you question what was i thinking !!!

Only ZEN for me is when shooting very low power springers such as HW 30 / 55 / Walther LG's etc ...   There so docile there actually FUN to shoot.

Having been a primarily PCP shooter in FT competition these past 10+ years and having my fair share of success's .... The fun in shooting a PCP in precision events is just not as fun as it once was, so ... Taking up shooting a purpose built Springer for the next year or so in anticipation of shooting at the WFTF World Championships that happen in Pheonix AZ in @ November 2024 in the Piston class division.

WHY .. Because it's HARD & the challenge appeals to me sick as that is 

LOL! Love them kitties! And quite an accurate statement too. You have to feel it, be it the cat or the gun. Don’t try to control it, go with how it is .

[Madd Hatter]

What's the better part of shooting a breakbarrel springer for you:

1.  The simplicity (or even the "zen") of loading and shooting a break barrel?

or

2.  The challenge/skills needed to shoot one well?

That's It.  That simple. 

Thanks all!

Simple answer,yes!

[BackyardAirgunner]

Number 1 for me! I love breaking the barrel, loading up the pellet and getting ready to shoot. Something about it makes me feel involved with the gun itself. Like a weird mix of being conscious of what I'm doing but just "flowing" unconsciously.

That said, I don't have a lot of experience and just do it for fun. So, it's hard for me to tell exactly what challenges I'm actually facing Popping cans will never not be satisfying with a nice springer rifle.

[Tyy]

Dan - the simplicity comes from "load a pellet, shoot a pellet".  No tanks to fill, or the equipment needed, no mags to load etc.

With breakbarrels, I simply cock the rifle as I bring the gun down from a shot, easily load a pellet and get back to business.  The whole process happens as an aside, meaning I don't need to think much about it.  No counting shots, worries about when to top off, etc.  That combination doesn't even happen with side lever or underlever guns, just breakbarrels.  On a good day I find it to be very relaxing.  "Zen", if you will....

well said! 1. Thebreakbarrels is a purely human air gun, similar to a bow and arrow. No external energy input is required. 2. It has the simplest structure and the fewest components. The most durable. 3. It is also the best in terms of ergonomics and ergonomics. 4. There is still great potential and space for development

[Lt. Dan]

I'll add #4: If you can shoot a Springer well, you can shoot ANY gun well!
  Springers have taught me the concentration needed to shoot PB's at a level I never thought I could.

I'll second this.  Same here.

[Kragman1]

Put me down for thirds! 

My rimfire shooting clearly benefits whenever it follows any extended springer shooting.

Well, good shooting with a springer.  You know when you're there...

[Ronfiveo]

A couple of questions from an airgun newbie:
What other kind of airguns are springers?
What makes an airgun a springer?

Ron

[Kragman1]

Hi Ron

Springers are airguns that have no air reservoir or expendable cartridge contained in them like a PCP or CO2 airgun, or even the multipump rifle like a Crosman 760 etc.

Instead, springers work by driving a piston forward very fast, creating a brief but strong surge of air down the barrel and thus firing the pellet.  The spring itself can be a traditional steel coil spring, or one made from a pressurized gas strut (most commonly called a "gas ram" but it really just a type of spring).

The most common type of springer is a break barrel, where the barrel itself isn't stationary -  its mounted to the main tube via a hinge and its also used as the lever to cock the piston against the spring.  The are also other designs where the barrel IS stationary, and the piston is cocked by a separate lever, either underneath or to the side of the airgun.  Under levers & side lever rifles.  There are also top lever pistols though I don't know of a top lever rifle.

Because that piston is being driven hard by the spring, "springers" experience 2 recoil events when fired, in very rapid succession.  First, there is some rearward ("normal") recoil then forward recoil as the piston hits the inside of the compression tube and drives the rifle forward.
This is very tough on scopes, but developing the discipline and skills needed to shoot a springer well is a great thing for the shooter.

If you get into springers, my strongest recommendation is to read up here on GTA, etc and once you are ready to buy, make your first one a good one!  It doesn't have to be expensive either, just a proper rifle like a Diana 34 or similar.  Mike Melick at Flying Dragon can sell you a good rifle for a very fair price that he will tear down and troubleshoot for you before he sends it out, just in case it has a nicked seal or something like that which needs attention.  The B25 is a Chinese copy of the Diana 34, so the design is sound.

There is a rich and deep world of springer knowledge out there for you to explore, and a great place to do that is right here.
And if any of your buddies shoot airgun, I'm sure they'll be happy to get a springer into your hands...

[Ronfiveo]

Thank you, Kragman1.
I greatly appreciate the information that was put in a way I could understand.

Ron

[Ronfiveo]

Thank you so much Brian.

I am on a fixed budget living on SS and any help with saving cost is good.
Right now all I have is a Umarex multi-pump APX (youth) rifle and a Umarex Buck Mark break barrel pistol both in the .177 cal..

I do believe in the very near future a small bore .177 is on my wish list.  Probably below $150.

I want to do the research so I'll learn, so where in GTA can I list my budget and find possible candidates.

I did just purchase some pellets for the pistol, which is very pellet picky, getting some Rifle Premium Series round nose . 177s and you are right. The packaging was top notch with the cans in the middle of "foam" squares that fit the shipping box snugly.

Again I thank you for your help and patience in dealing with my newbieness.

Gratefully, Ron

BTW, your inbox is full, so I couldn't PM you.

[lefteyeshot]

#3 The self realization that the real simplicity comes with a PCP, on all fronts.

That was really a liberating, enlightening moment.


Sorry, I don't want to spoil the topic too much, since I am an all in PCP / MSP shooter these days.

Acceptance.