Beeman QB Chief

[farkousse]

Howdy all?

I just wanted some input about the Beeman QB Chief. I am interested in it as I have seen some really promising videos about its accuracy up to 50 yards. I don't hunt and mostly plink for fun. I also don't want to invest in a scuba tank and the costs that go with it. I have a cheap Chinese hand pump. So the Beeman QB Chief at 2000 psi is well within my pumping abilities. I already purchased a Maximus Euro version. I also am considering the Umarex Gauntlet. However the 3000 psi is putting me off a little bit on that rifle.
Anyway, the main reason behind this post is the quality issues some owners of the Beeman QB Chief are complaining about. I was wondering if that's a deal killer!
If I knew I could pump the Umarex Gauntlet to a decent tank pressure to be able to get 20 decent shots, then I would buy it on the spot. However I have read that some need over 200 or even 300 hand pumps to bring to a decent tank pressure.
Any input on the quality issues of the Beeman QB Chief or the Umarex Gauntlet would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[CraigH]

I think the Beeman QB Chief would serve you well.  The Chief stock is a bit more trim than the QB78D stock.   The action is different than the QB78 which cocks on closing - the Chief cocks on opening and feels just a wee bit less robust.   The Chief is of course shorter than the Maximus and a bit heavier.   No one beats Crosman for support in service and parts and there is a great deal of support in the air gun community.   The QB78 has considerably community support, but the Chief while looking nearly identical is much different in its various parts.

As to 2000 PSI vs 3000 PSI, there is a difference in effort, not an impossible difference though, I hand pump two 3000 PSI guns and two 2000 PSI guns (I am knocking on the door of age 70).  The difference begins to be felt at about 175 BAR, about 2500 PSI.   But many 3000 PSI gun perform better when stopping short of 3000 PSI, perhaps having a sweet spot beginning arount 2700 PSI or so.

Best wishes with your decision.   

[tennx]

Since I have a QB78S,QB78D and a AR2078...my first PCP was a disco....but my QB’s have never given me moments trouble..next PCP will be a Urban..as u can see I dont think u can go wrong with Beeman....good luck

[farkousse]

As to 2000 PSI vs 3000 PSI, there is a difference in effort, not an impossible difference though, I hand pump two 3000 PSI guns and two 2000 PSI guns (I am knocking on the door of age 70).  The difference begins to be felt at about 175 BAR, about 2500 PSI.   But many 3000 PSI gun perform better when stopping short of 3000 PSI, perhaps having a sweet spot beginning arount 2700 PSI or so.

Best wishes with your decision.   

If I knew the 3000 psi is not necessary on the Gauntlet and I could get a decent shot count with 2500 to 2700 psi tank, I definitely would go for the Gauntlet as it has everything I need: Shrouded barrel, repeater, regulator. Best of all it seems to be fairly accurate within the ranges I usually like to plink at: 25 yards.

[Ribbonstone]

Haven't had any quality issues...other than a bolt probe o-ring. 
Heavier than a co2 QB, doesn't share any parts besides the trigger unit and iron sights, but it's been very accurate.

[CraigH]

The Gauntlet is in all probability a fine air gun.   For myself, I don't much like the size and weight.   Doesn't mean I may not have one at some time.   I was not initially wanting the Urban before I thought about it more.  I really like the Urban notwithstanding the size of the moderator.

[Ribbonstone]

HA ven't bought a Gauntlet yet...may not.

But there are some posters that assume the Beeman Chief would be nearly as light as a QB co2...it's not.

So if if weight is an issue, can give you a run donw on the likely weight (withing 2/20ths a pound) for the inexpensive (cheap) versions.

Just figurng your average, inexpensive, 3-9X scope with average two piece rings.

1. Diana Storme rider/ Mrod Air "Varmint"/ SPA:  With scope, somthing very close to 6 pounds ready to go. Small volume, repeater, 3K fill, but no more work to pump fill than a Disco/Maxi or a Beeman Chief becasue it is smaller.

2. Crosman Maximus: somthing ike 7.3-7.5 pounds scoped and ready to go.  Single shot, 2K fill.

3. Standard co2 78D (the CO2 rifle): somthing like 7.1=7.2 pounds soped and ready ready to go.

4. Beeman Chief: somehting like 8.1-8.3pounds coped and ready to go. Single shot, 2 K fill.

5. Gauntlet: somthing like 9.4-9.6 pounds scoped and ready to go. repeater, regulated, larger air volume, much harder to fill to 3K becasue of the volume (but will run well with a 2K fill...just not for as mny shots).


Can't tell you how to pick your wife, pick your car, pick your truck, or even pick your nose...it's all kind of "individual tastes"...just didn't want you to think the Chief was a light-weight rifle.

[USAFANG6799]

I have a Chief, Benjamin Discovery and a Marauder all in 22 caliber.
The Chief is my go to PCP because of  comparable accuracy, size and weight. I had two leaks when new. One at the fill probe and one at he gauge. A reseal was an easy fix.
The Marauder has been the most trouble free and most accurate of all three but not by much. I don't use it much because it's too heavy to lug around. Probably why I'll not get a Gauntlet.
With the Discovery I did a complete reseal after 6 months. Now it holds air as well as the Marauder.

I did have Mrod Varmint which had some serious issues with holding air because of transfer port being drilled off center. Could never get it to seal properly. Sent it back an got stiffed by Mike. Never got my money back nor an exchange is what I asked for.

Chief is my pick from my experience.

[Techie]

The weight and size difference between the QB Chief and the Umarex Gauntlet is huge.  Are you considering that?  I see them as so different because of this size difference that I can't imagine comparing the two.  One is a small light dainty little thing, and the other is a big fat pig!   

[WesBob]

Looks like you mentioned that you don't hunt so if target shooting the gauntlet might be great. The chief would be a nice option as well. Because the gauntlet is regulated, as Ribbonstome mentioned, you can fill it to any air level you want past 1200psi and you'll get consistent shots. Your initial fill will take a lot of pumps from empty but if you fill it to 2000psi - 2500psi then it won't take much effort to refill back to pressure from 1200psi subsequently and you'll get quite a few more shots than the chief, at consistent velocity, without a bunch of tuning anyway.

[farkousse]

Looks like you mentioned that you don't hunt so if target shooting the gauntlet might be great. The chief would be a nice option as well. Because the gauntlet is regulated, as Ribbonstome mentioned, you can fill it to any air level you want past 1200psi and you'll get consistent shots. Your initial fill will take a lot of pumps from empty but if you fill it to 2000psi - 2500psi then it won't take much effort to refill back to pressure from 1200psi subsequently and you'll get quite a few more shots than the chief, at consistent velocity, without a bunch of tuning anyway.

Anybody would care to tell me how many shots I would get on a Gauntlet for a tank pressure of 2500 psi? I know that some have over 60 shot counts when the Gauntlet is filled to 3000 psi. If I can get 20 shots when my Gauntlet is filled to 2500 psi, I would definitely consider it better than the QB chief. It is relatively quiet. It has a repeater. It is regulated. It is accurate up to 50 yards. As far as I am concerned, these are the most important features of an air rifle.

[rsterne]

Since the setpoint is supposed to be 1200, then you should get about 40+ shots filled to 2500 instead of filled to 3000.... assuming the 60 shots filled to 3000 is correct....

Bob

[farkousse]

Since the setpoint is supposed to be 1200, then you should get about 40+ shots filled to 2500 instead of filled to 3000.... assuming the 60 shots filled to 3000 is correct....

Bob

Then I see a Gauntlet in my very near future. For now I will just sit back and wait until they become more readily available and prices drop a tad then I will jump on one. Maybe in February or March?

[WesBob]

Sportsmansguide says they expect them back in stock December 27. Maybe they'll have a boxing day sale or something on them😊. They have pretty nice prices on them already, especially if you are a member, it's $242.99 for 22 caliber

[farkousse]

Sportsmansguide says they expect them back in stock December 27. Maybe they'll have a boxing day sale or something on them😊. They have pretty nice prices on them already, especially if you are a member, it's $242.99 for 22 caliber

Then I will buy one as a Christmas gift to myself.
I will keep going to Sportsman Guide website on a regular basis. Hopefully I can score a good deal in the next few days.

Update: Sportsman's Guide does not ship to Illinois. This not fair!

[WesBob]

Good idea!