Cheap plinker: daisy 880, crossman 1377, or Remington AM77

[Reflexion]

Well my local wally world has the daisy 880 for 45 dollars, but no crossman 2100
I wonder how accurate it is compared to the am77/C2100

[Onebaddj]

If you want it bone stock for the next 20+ years and still work like the day you bought it go 880. If you want to mod the pi$$ out of it for next to nothing and have unlimited potential for how to set it up go 1377. I have both and my 1377 was stockfor years then completely rebuilt it to exactly what i wanted. My 880 is still bone stock. Just no mods for it. You get what you bought and thats that. Its a great gun but will never change.

[Daysailer]

Well my local wally world has the daisy 880 for 45 dollars, but no crossman 2100
I wonder how accurate it is compared to the am77/C2100

(gotta love these forums...20 mins typing response....timed out all lost...///trying  again.)

Accuracy ?

Check out the GTA Shooting match gates.  AM77 and 766 shooters are regulars
Can't remember seeing an 880.
Last match of the year, 10 yd multi-pump (MSP) won by a, BB abused, 766, with a cheap ($15)
5moa red dot from a Crosman T4 pistol.
(that score would have been 3rd in Open 10 yd match, right behind the same shooter, same day, with a
'71 Rocker Blue Streak w/ Williams peep sight (well known rifle, admired for its un-deniable accuracy)
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=38301.0

Sorry if this seems self-serving, wish it were someone else, but accuracy facts about the
2100/AM77/766 platform remain the same.  Put a small scope on the stock metal dove tails,
and see how much more can be done with a scope and younger better eyes !
((BTW The 59 year old shooter has had no shooting training, and does not hunt. 
Just shoots and plink's at targets with airguns that are really fun to shoot.)))

"out of the box" plink'n,  undisputed best BANG for your buck. . . . . . . . .2100/AM77

IF you dont want the varible power of a Multi-pump, and 15-20 yard maximum range is OK..
Check out the Daisy 953 at around $100.  Never handled or seen one, but gets good press.

AM77 vs 880...
For the difference in proven preformance, $10-$25, is not really that much for a rifle that has
a 30+ year lifetime, if reasonably taken care of.  Skimping $5-$10, between new 2100/AM77 and
an 880 doesnt make sense to me.
When shopping for my 766, it was really hard to choose the $5 extra for it over the 760. ( $$$ was very tight )
Learned later in other hobbies;
Choose cheap, enjoyment cheap, loose interest.
Chose Quality, get quality experience, =  life time passion.
(+... if you loose interest...better resale value ! )

I play guitar,,,many years,,  cheap insturments,,  lost interest... came back, bought cheap again...lost interest.
tried agin,   s t r e t c h e d  budget....now playing every day for last 8 years, on that same Quality guitar.
The difference in $$$ vs enjoyment, far exceed  the extra $
( wish I cud have those lost years of pick'n and strum'n  back !)

In the range of your stated budget for plink'n, there is nothing under $120 (Sheridan or Benji used in good condition)
That will better suit your parameters.
jmho

[Reflexion]

Well I'm definitely getting a benj 392
Just thought having a cheap knock around plinker would be fun, but maybe I should just put that 50 towards an optic or something for  the benj?
Where's the best place to buy a benj?

I really appreciate the well thought out and written responses!!!!

[Nate the airgunner]

I believe pyramydair is running a sale on all their Benjamin Products, last time I looked the had those Benji pumpers for only $144.

[lillysdad621]

putting optics on a benji (or sheridan) is not easy. you need block mounts (about 20 bucks) or better yet the b suare specialty mounts, or the one that i prefer is the b suare IZH46 mounts. put it in the front over the pump arm, use a pistol scope (or any long eye relief scope or red dot) and voila! instant scout rifle. But all optics are off now... best option is the william peep sight. or shoot it with the original sights.

[D14Jeff]

http://www.rlairgunsupply.com/scopes-mounts-binoculars-spotting-scopes-access/benjamin-air-rifles-scope-mount/

[Daysailer]

+ 1 for lillysdad's advice...
and +1 for your choice of a better quality gun...

I have two Blue Streaks (Sheridan rifle nearly same gun as  Benji 397/2 models,  just in  .20 cal )
One is stock notch and blade sights, the other is Williams peep rear with stock front blade.
For me, I like the simplier pleasure of open sights for plinking.  Even with old, very correction needy eyes,
the open sights are just plane more FUN...for me. 
I have two nice springers, and have taken the glass off of them and am shooting them 'peep'd'  too.

For your selection, think about the caliber choice between the .22 benji 392 and the .177 Benji 397.
If just for plink'n pleasure, .177 ammo  will be cheaper, and still very capabale of small game hunting.
and.... fewer pumps to get reasonable plink'n power and range. 

Enjoy  the shopping journey... sometimes as much fun as the get'n. 

[Reflexion]

Hmm well I was dead set on a 392, in case I need to hunt with it in a survival situation
But the 397 can be had, refurbed, for $99. I will consider the 177 instead for plinking, since that's what it'll mostly be used for anyways, and since it is the less expensive right now(no 392 refurbs available)

[Petey]

392's are trouble....most have to be gone through and rec-rowned and heavens knows what else to make them shoot right...2100/AM77 dead reliable right out of the box.

[ignantmike]

my vote is for the remington am77.....that is a great price too....but, i can get a crosman 2100 from wally cheaper than that one with shipping....also like the 1377 and the 1322...i have both...as well as a crosman model 1 .22 that shoots awesome

[lillysdad621]

392 do not need to be recrowned. like all sheridans and benjis they get runoff from the paint into the crown. clean it off with some solvent. never run a steel brush on the barrel. they are soft and made out of brass. u will ruin the rifling. synthetic brushes and pads...thats all

[Bryan Heimann]

As much as I'd love to say 880, I think that the AM77 is probably a better choice.  But the 880 is still good, and a lot of fun.

[FNG54]

Crosman BenjaminŽ 392 Air Rifle $140
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_30829_-1__?Ntt=392&Ntk=All

Crosman Doomsday Bug Out Kit $80
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_674403_-1__?Ntt=bugout&Ntk=All