Buying on a promise? 2025-02-28

[GTA-Airgunner]

Good morning, fellow GTA Members!

It's another Friday here in Texas, and I'll be heading back to the range after lunch to test some more airguns. Filming will be off the table for the next couple of weeks as we have a lot of weather coming in, mostly super-high winds. I've also got work to do for my IT and Web consulting business, so I'm going to be pretty busy.

Now, on to today's topic.  Do you buy airguns based on the manufacturer's specifications, assuming they are correct and accurate, or do you buy based on their modified performance potential?

Here's why I ask. I'm going back through and shooting some of my older airguns, and many of them work just fine. But I remember when people would talk about getting them and then immediately look to crank them up to 11, often with less-than-optimal results. I was one of those guys who did it and often found myself wishing I had bought something that fit or exceeded my needs rather than something I had to modify to get there. 

I'm thinking about all the times I tried to modify my Marauders, shim springs in springers, or drill-out transfer ports to increase airflow.  I had some success, but more often than not, the "upgrade" turned out to be a "sidegrade" when all things were taken into consideration.  I may get more power, but I got a larger spread and fewer shots.  Or worse, more power but less consistent accuracy.

Anyway, these days, I generally recommend that people focus their purchases on products that deliver above their expectations out of the box rather than something they have to modify to achieve their goals.

What are your thoughts?


Thank you for being part of the GTA!

Cheers
Rick

[Roadworthy]

I mostly shoot target and don't worry about a lot of power.  My goal is accuracy.  If I want to kill something small at forty yards or so most of my springers can handle it.  If they can't do the job I have firearms for that.  The trick is to use the proper tool for the job.

[splitbeing]

Tinkering is part of the airgun honby and learning involves mistakes.  The Diana guns that are my favorites are also the ones that have ultimately benefitted from my working on them even if they suffered at times along the way.  I owe most of that to Roadworthy, who reached out to me as he does to all Diana shooters, as well as the GTA forum.

I also haven't gone as far as most in juicing up pcps.  I don't have much to do with a pcp beyond changing springs and tuning from there.  Occassionally deburring.

Some guns you buy not to juice up powerwise, but simply to clean up a bit.  If it's not accurate, power doesn't matter.  You know you are the QC with some manufacturers.

I am curious about what category the P-Rifle that arrived today will fall into.

[avator]

The GTA has been the driving force behind virtually all my airgun purchases. Between the bargain gate and other member's first hand experiences along with my own needs/interests I buy with confidence.
Marketing and paid for reviews don't do it for me. I may watch some videos just to get eyes on the gun in action but I rarely buy into the hype.

[Airnut]

Trust manufacturers specifications!  YA  Right!
To me its 70 percent company customer support, Parts availability,warranty,ect.
I am tired of paying good money for a new gun only to find out that after the warranty expires you can't get repair parts. You know who you are!
So I don't buy new very often.
Thank God I have a fully equipped machine shop.