2289 or 392, and .22 or .177?

[Marc]

If you were looking at a new squirrel gun, would you get a new 392 or 2289 with basic mods?

Also - why is the 392 and 2289 so popular in .22, and not the .177 versions?  I'd think the .177 would shoot a lot flatter at these lower powers.

[DavidS]

I would go with a 2289, with some simple modifications.  Though I guess it is a matter of personal preference.

If it were still available I would go for the 1389 (.177 version of the 2289).   In fact just today I ordered a .177 caliber barrel for my 2289, turned out to need a disco barrel (because all of the other .177 barrels longer that 10 inch that fit are discontinued).

I think it is because of the 7% to 8% difference in power level with the same power plant, .22 having the slight edge unless you use 12+ grain .177 pellets (then the edge goes to .177).

[D14Jeff]

if you can get a older 392 you're pretty much guaranteed to get a good one (unless it's been damaged/abused) . according to Mac1 the new ones have issues .

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=62844.0

i got a DBO/2289 and really enjoy it . lots of fun to tinker with and there's a boatload of aftermarket parts available . converting from .22 to .177 only requires the barrel ,bolt and bolt o-ring ... all available from crosman for less than $30 delivered

[redlined_b16a]

I have both with home done mods and I vote 392,even a newer one.I get about 20-21ft lbs from my 392 with valve work and spring change
I can fully dump 14 pumps with a 14.3 grain .22 and its in the 800 plus fps range

if customization is what you really want the go 2289

I vote .22 cal also,.22 will have more energy down range
I guess I need to break my 392(2007 model) down and post pics and specs of how I got my performance by spending about $5 and maybe 3 hours of work

[D14Jeff]

I guess I need to break my 392(2007 model) down and post pics and specs of how I got my performance by spending about $5 and maybe 3 hours of work

please do
at some point i'd like to get a older 392 or a 492 with a INTEGRABASE . always wanted one as a kid .

[redlined_b16a]

the older 392's look nothing like the internals I modded on the newer ones so I doubt anyone can follow what I done,but I suppose the same goal is in mind

create more pressure,create more flow.
My transfer port is 3/16" I think that's .300 thousands of an inch

either way flow is king

[Steeb86]

I have both in .22, I also have a 397, at 5 pumps with my 392 I can't take a squirrel at about 15yds without alerting my neighbors(I shoot them when they attempt to get into my attic). It takes my 2289(stock setup) 10 pumps to accomplish this.  My 397 is perfectly functional and if you shoot at 5 pumps and miss a brain shot and hit anywhere other than the neck the pellet will bounce off them, it still hurts them like heck but I'm partial to eliminating what I shoot at if that's my intent.  Both my 392 and 397 are Racine models and have been maintained since I was about 6 when I got the 392.  If you intend to go past about 20yds go with either the 392 or 397, you can make the 2289 go just as far but it takes work to get to 392 out-of-the-box performance.

[DavidS]

I have both with home done mods and I vote 392,even a newer one.I get about 20-21ft lbs from my 392 with valve work and spring change
I can fully dump 14 pumps with a 14.3 grain .22 and its in the 800 plus fps range

if customization is what you really want the go 2289

I vote .22 cal also,.22 will have more energy down range

that is true if you are using heavier pellets in .22 than what you are using in .177.    If you use a 16.3 grain .177 pellet and a 16.3 grain .22 pellet (in apropriate guns), given the same muzzle energy the opposite is true, because the smaller diameter pellet at the same weight will generally have a better BC than the larger pellet of the same weight.    And thanks to its smaller diameter the heavier .177 will buck the wind better.

I do agree that most use .177 pellets that are under 11 grain, and .22 pellets that are over 14 grain thus making your statement true in those situations.

I guess I need to break my 392(2007 model) down and post pics and specs of how I got my performance by spending about $5 and maybe 3 hours of work

[redlined_b16a]

I have both with home done mods and I vote 392,even a newer one.I get about 20-21ft lbs from my 392 with valve work and spring change
I can fully dump 14 pumps with a 14.3 grain .22 and its in the 800 plus fps range

if customization is what you really want the go 2289

I vote .22 cal also,.22 will have more energy down range

that is true if you are using heavier pellets in .22 than what you are using in .177.    If you use a 16.3 grain .177 pellet and a 16.3 grain .22 pellet (in apropriate guns), given the same muzzle energy the opposite is true, because the smaller diameter pellet at the same weight will generally have a better BC than the larger pellet of the same weight.    And thanks to its smaller diameter the heavier .177 will buck the wind better.

I do agree that most use .177 pellets that are under 11 grain, and .22 pellets that are over 14 grain thus making your statement true in those situations.

I guess I need to break my 392(2007 model) down and post pics and specs of how I got my performance by spending about $5 and maybe 3 hours of work

I never even considered the weight of the .177,I have never seen or would like to pay for a 14.3 grain .177 and its not something any around the town store would stock.

However you are probly correct on the fps and weight for weight.
IMO if you want to shoot an exotic heavy .177 that matches a common walmart .22 pellet......just get the .22 that has ammo readily avalibe in town

[DavidS]

@redlined_b16a:
The only places around here to buy pellets locally are Walmart and Cabelas, both are way to expensive (compare the prices to Pyramyd Air).  If I wanted to spend that much I would get the super heavy pellets from Pyramyd Air instead.

[DavidS]

@redlined_b16a:
Also the heavy pellets are not all that expensive (cheaper than buying the regular pellets at Walmart).  Here are links to a few that my Daisy 880, and Crosman 66 like quite well:
Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum .177 Cal, 10.5 Grains, Round Nose, 500ct
JSB Exact Monster .177 Cal, 13.4 Grains, Cylindrical, 400ct
Eun Jin .177 Cal, 16.1 Grains, Round Nose, 220ct
Gamo TS-10 .177 Cal, 10.49 Grains, Round Nose, 200ct

[redlined_b16a]

@redlined_b16a:
Also the heavy pellets are not all that expensive (cheaper than buying the regular pellets at Walmart).  Here are links to a few that my Daisy 880, and Crosman 66 like quite well:
Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum .177 Cal, 10.5 Grains, Round Nose, 500ct
JSB Exact Monster .177 Cal, 13.4 Grains, Cylindrical, 400ct
Eun Jin .177 Cal, 16.1 Grains, Round Nose, 220ct
Gamo TS-10 .177 Cal, 10.49 Grains, Round Nose, 200ct

the eun jins look nice

[DavidS]

@redlined_b16a:
The JSB Exact Monster .177 Cal, 13.4 Grain pellets are very similar to the ones that I cast myself from time to time (though the home cast are about 19 grains).

And yes the Eun Jin .177 Cal, 16.1 Grain are very good pellets (at least in my guns).