Apart from the HW's and AA's there aren't really any other high end springers around.
Is the Benjamin Sheridan Sterling air rifle the best American made spring air rifle?Would it sell today if it was put back in production?Apart from the HW's and AA's there aren't really any other high end springers around.As much as I like Cometa's and as good as they are, there not quite up to AA's standard.
Quote from: norris on March 07, 2023, 02:42:24 PMApart from the HW's and AA's there aren't really any other high end springers around.You forgot to mention Diana. They are as high end as the HW's, and in many ways arguably better guns, even with their plastic bits in low-stress locations. AA's outclass both in fit and finish, but not in performance, especially and underlining in non-restricted markets.Walther doesn't make springers anymore, but the LGV and the LGU were as high-end as any, and are still widely available in the second-hand market, some even available as new off retail joints. That makes it four high-end springer makes around, if you ask me.As far as Cometas vs. Weihrauchs go, the latter have such QC issues these days I'm not sure I would recommend one over a Cometa 400 any time soon.
Is it the best? - "Best" can be subjective. Best-selling, best shooting, best quality, or best overall, take your pick. The Sterling was an exercise by an American manufacturer to produce and market high quality spring air rifles. The gun is an all wood and metal design with nice fit and finish so in that aspect they succeeded. From what I have read it was also challenging to produce and market. One might say that it was the best American springer in the early 90's, then again it may be almost alone in that category. Would it sell if produced today? - In my opinion, no way. Its unique design had several issues that would be challenging to overcome to make it competitive for today's market. Also, production and marketing costs would almost certainly require a hefty price tag, something a design with low power and poor ergonomics could not support. There are probably few high-end springer manufacturers for a reason. For consumers the advent of quality low-cost PCP's and the multitude of low-cost springers/gas rams available have produced new opportunities to explore and enjoy airguns, leaving higher-end springers a somewhat niche market. Maybe they always were? Manufacturers recent attempts to introduce new designs only to discontinue them after short runs should give some insight into the market. Seems if it was profitable, they would still be producing them.
A tuned springer shouldn't have harsh recoil and paper targets can be challenging!
I left out Diana because rumours of quality issues in recent times and also that production has only recently returned back to Germany.I don't own any Diana's/Originals and the only model that I might be interested in is the 34M.
Why is this in the European/Asian Air Gun Gates »UK Airgun Gate ?
Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on March 11, 2023, 08:25:12 AMWhy is this in the European/Asian Air Gun Gates »UK Airgun Gate ?I was expecting for that very question earlier, simply that it was originally a British designed and manufactured air rifle that was later produced in America (by Benjamin Sheridan).