Why are ~$300 PCP Guns Called Starter/Beginner PCP Guns ?

[Wayne52]

Peter did you end up being one of the people who bought a DAR and sent it back for the upgraded version when it came out?

[Ribbonstone]

  Two cheapest-of-the-cheap,although shot at different ranges and way different days.

One video-blogger got a lot of grief for the accuracy he mentioned in his vid for the $163 Beeman Chief (up to $179 now?)....so I though I'd really give it a hard try at 50 and see.   Issue barrel, issue parts,but was some adjustmets made.

(riflepicture below)



OK...know there are rifles that will show better groups....and Istill have never tested it on paper at 100 yards (simply becasue I don't shoot anything that far away besides cat-food cans).  Only been 2 years, but it hasn't screwed up yet.


HAve to go back in time for the Flying Dragons $100 PCP (which only fills to 1500psi),but I've no complaints about this .22.  Did have to check the thread diameters in this old Gen. I version to be sure, but it also runs on the issue barrel, all issue parts,with a bit of tuning (down tuning in power).

Only 25 yards...but that's generally where I use it (20-33 yards).  If I thought it would really make a difference to use a 2X more accurate rifleat that range,would be pretty delusional on my part.







 So what did I do when I wanted a good solid hunting rifle in .177?
Wellof coruse,being a simple-PCP fan,bought anothter Chief (although enough changes that I'll call the current one a Gen II).

DSCN1848 by Robert Dean, on Flickr


Proceeded to down tune that .177 version  from the way it came out the box.

DSCN1852 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

And have not yet really stretched its distance (it's a .177...I tend to use it over the same 20-33 yards as the FDPCP):

DSCN1902 (1) by Robert Dean, on Flickr


But you know a guy some times needs a repeater (or at least THINKS he needs one). So a few years ago I tried one of the .177 MrodAir/SPA "Varmint"(think of it as a Generation I Storm Rider from before Diana picked up the option) that sold for about $130.



Which I didn't mistake for a long range rifle,but a very good medium range rifle on pest birds (those HP'sdon't have the greatest BC):



Did screw up the picture...used "outlaw" where I should have used "stormrider":




Not that I didn't crave power along the way...I just kept "cheap" even when going for +50 foot pounds.

DSCN1666 by Robert Dean, on Flickr

Bought the Sumatrea 5mm USED for a very good price (been about 10-11 years...it' still going...but I forget what the used price was,but it had to be "budget"or I'dhave passed).

The SPA  M10 single shot (Mrod air) was on final clearence to make room for the repeaters, and it was either $260 or $270 at the time).

The .25 QB PCP conversion at the bottom is a DIY project from 10 years ago.

Did try all 3 of them during a storming rain not too long ago.

Weather limiterd the distance,but the chronograph stillworkd , and I went wwith 10 shot groups:


DSCN1666 by Robert Dean, on Flickr


YES INDEED...if I were shooting 10 meter match,I'dgo for a more accurate 10 meter rifle(with all the adjustable bells-n-whistles as fit/comfort really couynts).


If I were going for 100 yard groups,would loikely pick a rifle built for 100 yard match shooting).

For the other 95% of what we do,the "cheapies" seem to work just fine.

[old sparky]

I am glad you enjoy your “starter” PCP Lately I am enjoying my inexpensive PCP pistols more than my Daystate rifles. Most of us are dazzled by the beauty of the high end stuff, smooth triggers and fine machiing. But when we are shooting at a 50 yard house range. The inexpensive stuff can compete. I see some of the popular video guys raving about hitting an egg at 50 yards or a 1” group. Or the reviews shooting groups at ten meters showing its one hole. I should hope so.  My $78 dollar 10/22 with .99 cent Yellow Front Wildcat ammo from the 70’s would do that. Shooting off a bench in the yard gets boring with high end rifles for me. But shooting offhand at sillouettes is a hoot. And when I get bored with a couple hundred dollar gun and buy another. I dont feel like Im throwing money away. And boy have I wasted money on firearms. By the way I enjoyed reading thru this post.

[anti-squirrel]

Peter did you end up being one of the people who bought a DAR and sent it back for the upgraded version when it came out?

Nope, not me.  That DAR of yours keeps catching my attention.  I'm torn between that, an ATI,  another SPA, or just going whole-hog and saving up for a Mutant.  I know the correct answer is YES (meaning all of the above)...  Finding a retailer for the DAR... that's a struggle (unless my brain is just too foggy right now!)

Sparky- you got a great point.  I've thrown away some good money in powderburners, then realized I only need a few.  Trimmed down the herd and that's that. 

Now for accuracy, my day-in-day-out favorite plinkers are also my favorite pesting guns... which sorta is all the airguns I still own except the P-17.   PP700 remains all-time favorite.  Never thought a couple hundred dollars worth of Chinese metal and plastic could be so rewarding to shoot, never mind so accurate, reliable, and un-picky about the ammo.