First PCP ?

[redtrucker610]

I have been lurking here on the dark side for awhile. I know there are a lot of opinions out there for a first PCP. I'm really thinking about going with the Maximus hunter for a first PCP. I will just be using it for plinking in the back yard. Since I live in a rural area I will have to fill what ever I purchase with a hand pump. The 2000 lb maximum fill pressure sounds better than 3000 or higher. The Maximus  hunter and hand pump combo direct through crosman seems like a good deal when using the 25% coupon code. If I go this route would I be better off just getting the rifle and a better pump from somewhere else? So the next part of this is I would probably try to sell my HW90 to pay for the maximus or another choice if someone convinces me the maximus is a mistake. Am I crazy for doing this?

[Jman2311]

Do you have a budget in mind?  If I could do it all over this would be the first question I'd ask and likewise I would do it right the first time and not skimp or gamble.  At this point I have flat out wasted about $700 dollars.  I bought an air venturi tank only to find that I much prefer the Hill MK4 hand pump over the tank.  I couldn't ever get my tank to pressureize over 175 bar to my gun and nowhere around me could ever fill the "dang" tank over 4100 psi and that was with leaving it for a few hours and getting a top off right before pick up.  I bought a couple cheap scopes before finally getting one I was happy with.  I bought a long barrel from Hatsan thinking that I could just swap out my short barrel on the at44 and get a little more FPS with less air consumption only to find out that the OD on the long barrel was bigger.  Tried removing the barrel bands to get it to work only to get 8 inch groups at 35 yards with it.  So back to the short barrel that was giving 1 inch groups consistently at 50 yards with just me and a bipod, no bags.  I can go on but the moral of the story is get it done right the first time and don't blow your money looking for the "best" when you probably already have it you just haven't figured that out yet.

If I were buying a maximus hunter... I would get it in .22, I would buy one of the aftermarket triggers for it since I love a good trigger, I would get an LDC...TKO or whatever fit the threads, I would get the Hill mk4 pump because if you buy the maximus it wont be your last pcp and you will already have a good capable pump that really is not that difficult to pump up to 250 bar and beyond with some paitence.  From there I would just tune for accuracy.  The power will be what it is and it will be sufficient.  I have no doubts based on what I have seen that you should be able to get 1.25 inch groups at 50 yard pretty regularly with the right pellet and speed combo.  Buy what you need and leave out all the rest,but what you do buy, buy the best you can get and I am really nudging about the pump and pellets here.

[Tater]

I recently got my first PCP and it's a Maximus with a Disco barrel and wood stock. It also has an Mrod trigger group in it. I bought it used from a member here and it's a fantastic shooter. Don't forgot to check the Classified Gate here, you might find just what your looking for.
Since your hand pumping, I think a Disco or Maximus is a great first choice.

[Skinard88]

I bought a Disco, pump combo.  The Disco or Maximus are great starter PCPs, and with a hand pump, at 2000psi even better.  As for the Benjamin pump.  I had to rebuild mine within a year of getting it, and again 6 months later.  I gave it away.  I have the Hill mk4 pump now and no problems in 3 years.  I like 22cal so you can shoot on breezy days.  Get the aftermarket trigger, a TKO and you will be set.  Then save your $$$$, your going to want more power to shoot 100yds. a repeater, a tank, a chrony, more land, more guns.   And the Madness Goes on.

[gamoshooter]

I have a Maximus hunter in .22
Order it on Friday from crosman .com and get in on crosmans  free shipping Friday's

Mine set me back $164.99 shipped 

They are a great starter pcp in my opinion 

I talked to tko.22 about a threaded ldc for the hunter and he Said to order the threaded ldc in section 5
Of the website  that fits the bsa guns it's the same thread as the Maximus and 6.5 in long

Gamoshooter

[redtrucker610]

I haven't really set a budget on this. In fact I think I would really like to get a marauder. I'm just really having a hard time justifying the upfront cost of the marauder and the pump to start. I'm not sure how much I'm going to like the pumping that goes with going pcp. I will be going with a .22 if I get the maximus. If I were to go with the marauder I would probably go with the .25.

[anti-squirrel]

You could always get the Marauder Pistol.  I'm not aware of anybody suffering sour grapes from buying one; same can't be said for Marauder rifles.  The P-Rod has a lower "entry point" for shooting, is still highly customizable, offers multi-shot capability, and for the 50-yards-and-under ranges is a small-game nightmare.

There are other possibly choices for the lower cost range:

Gamo Urban- Rick Eutsler's review of this gun is VERY favorable, and aside from the encased magazine (not sitting proud of the receiver), it is quiet and a decent trigger (the Gamo CAT)... Still a $400 dollar gun, but cheaper with discounts and it has a hammer-forged barrel to boot. 

SPA PR900W- you can get these from Krale, MRodAir, and some other sites.  Expect $220 to your door.  The main issue with these is the magazine can be fiddly but usually resolved by loosening the cover on the magazine. 

The lower cost of these means you can get a Hill pump.  Same can be said for the Disco and Maximus.  Just because they can come with a bundled pump doesn't mean you have to get the pump.  The thing is, I recommend starting off with a pump and a lower-cost gun.  It means a lower cost of entry, so you can focus on spending some money for building a good backstop (I advise a shredded rubber mulch box), targets, pellets (the Straightshooters assortment package is perfect), and of course a good scope and rings.

If you are willing to do a little work, the QB-79 and a Ninja regulated bottle offers another entry point at $200.  Single shot, but there's a multi-shot breech for ~ $160 or so and it's almost as tunable as the Max and Disco.

What would I do in your shoes?  I bought the Crosman pump (actually used some gift cards) nearly 3 years ago and it sat unused until I saved up enough and bought my first PCP this summer... an SPA PP700 pistol.  I have no regrets, but I was also looking for a regulated gun for my first PCP.  None of the others I listed are regulated except the QB by virtue of the Ninja bottle.  I'll add the Disco and Max both have a lower fill-pressure.  Pumping to 2000 PSI is easy.  Pumping to 3000 is  more labor intensive once you go past 2650 or so.

There is a final choice IMO for a lower cost entry into PCPs- or should I say a couple offerings by one company.  Hatsan.  The AT-44 is a good platform, along with the AT-P-series pistols.  Regardless of what you eventually buy, I think you'll find pumping it up isn't bad, and if anything, makes you take your time with each shot.

Personally, I'd really like to a see a single-shot pistol by Crosman that also has a 2000 PSI fill pressure for 12 shots at 12 FPE with a larger diameter air cylinder akin to the 2300KT pistol in true PCP format with a selling price of $225 to $250.

[Evo Shift]

I just went though this myself.
I bought a Trail NP2, and returned it.
I then bought a Maximus, and returned it.
I settled on a Maruder Pistol, with a aftermaket hand pump.

I am very happy with the PROD after a TON of research, advice, deliberation, etc.
Thank you to everyone who gave me good advice on here.
Good luck.

[redtrucker610]

Was looking at the mrodair website. Does anyone have any info on the Air Max varmint that is listed on the site. There is not much info there. At that price I can probably swing the price of a hill pump with out causing issues on the home front.

[squirrel_hunter]

 you will like the maximus in 22...they shoot great straight out of the box...they easy to pump and light to carry...discos are nice also...

[Skinard88]

I have the Mrodair Varmint also.  Its 3000psi with more power.  Repeater breech or single shot tray. The trigger is pretty = to the Maximus, Disco.  Accuracy is = also.  I like the repeater for hunting, but when I sit at the bench and plink I use the single shot tray.

If I was just going to buy one for target and plinking, I would get the Disco, Maximus.

There's just not much for mods for the Varmint.  With just a trigger mod the disco, Maximus becomes a very good little plinker.  Pumping 2000psi is not really a big deal.  Pumping 3000psi made me get a tank. 

I'm old and broke down though.

[anti-squirrel]

Was looking at the mrodair website. Does anyone have any info on the Air Max varmint that is listed on the site. There is not much info there. At that price I can probably swing the price of a hill pump with out causing issues on the home front.

This is the same gun you can find listed on international retailers like Krale-Scheitsport and Aceros de Hispania as the SPA/Artemis PR900.  I have the related pistol, the PP700.  You can pick up the rifle delivered to your door from China by way of either the Netherlands or Spain for about $220 if you choose not to deal with MRodAir. 

If the rifle is anything at all like the pistol (and it is), it shoots excellent.  There are a number of good reviews online for this rifle, though I admit the best I've seen is by Vasco Ferreira out of South Africa (his has the non-adjustable trigger). 

[addertooth]

 I recently purchased a couple of springers Benjamin Regal II, Benjamin Trail NP2.  They are very good springers.  I also recently purchased the Maximus in 22 caliber.  It was ordered in a bundle with the pump at a value price (with 25% discount code).  At the $262 out the door price, which included free shipping, it was hard to justify getting another springer.  I have not yet purchased a Hill pump.  For the 2000 pound pressure limit the Maximus has, the Benjamin pump is more than adequate.  Since purchase, it has been upgraded with a strap, Vortex 3-9X40 scope with BDC reticle, The Brass Trigger kit (which included trigger, spring, screws for adjustment), TKO22 moderator, and the second barrel band.  With 14.66 grain pellets, it hovers around 850 FPS for 20 shots before requiring another 60 pumps to top it back off.  With the TKO it is astoundingly quiet.  The loudest sound is the impact of the Pellet.  Before the TKO, the first few shots sounded like a rimfire 22 shooting "shorts". 
How accurate is it?  Well at 25 yards it will put 5 shots through 1 ragged hole reliably, which can be entirely covered by a dime.  I suspect if I had a real steady rest, it would do even better.  With the 21-23 FPE of impact, and the accuracy, it will be a decent squirrel/Dove/Pigeon/Rabbit/Pest rifle.

[Onebaddj]

If you are punchi g paper go with 177. Tons more shots for the same money. 25 cal is a great cal for hunting but not paper punching. Pumping is not bad. I have a condor and a talon that i pump 90 % of the time. Need to refill my tank. A mrod or disco will be easy to pump.

Pcp guns are awesome have fun with the accuracy and insane power!

[Nomadic Pirate]

Also, there one more huge missconception,
even if you get a 3000 psi gun you don't necessarily need to use it in the 3000 psi range,

You can detune any 3000 psi gun to use at 2000 psi, also those guns usually have bigger airtubes and that will give you more shots per fill once detuned.

If you want a springer than get a Disco/Maximus ( best springers in the market ) if you want a PCP of that level than go directly Marauder ( it will save you money in the long run ) detune it to shoot in the 2000 psi range and you'll have more fun than a Disco/Maximus.

Also, forget about the Benjamin pump, go straight for a HILL, again,
less headaches and money down the line.

[redtrucker610]

Thanks for all the insights and opinions. Still have not come to a decision on which way to go. My back yard range is set 45 yards. I don't usually shoot paper targets. I have a combination of several different types of spinners set up on my range. I would also be using this for the occasional critter pest we have so sometimes my shots could be out to 50 or 60 yards Mostly skunks and possums and armadillo's.

[ancient1one]

I agree with Onebaddj. If your going to be pumping get a 177, uses a lot less air and pellets are a little less $$. The Crosman 1720 are in the classified section every once in awhile for under $400. Easy to pump and work on if you want to tune or add a reg. The 1720 has an LW barrel and if you want a carbine there are stocks are available for under $50.

The other guns I know easier to pump: Disco, Maximus, Brocock and AA s200. If your not in great shape or older I recommend buying a tank setup. When I got into PCP's pumping limited my shooting. 

[anti-squirrel]

'dillos too?  I just realized you're in Texas, so that kinda of changer things.  I've never shot one, but a lot of my customers do hunt them from Kansas east through Arkansas and of course through the south.

I'm not sure how tough their heads are, but I definitely wouldn't want anything less than .22 for either them or skunk.  I know the .177 will drop them both, but chances are you'll find more pellets in .22 that deliver enough energy than you will in .177.  Sure, some .177 carry a lot of energy (liek the Eun Jin 16 grain) but there's no guarantee they will group well.  You're much more likely to find multiple .22 that can drop them critters at the limits of your range than you are in .177.

  Now as far as .25 for paper-punching and plinking...  I used to plink on a some property I had access to with my Mk 2 Savage and an old tube-fed Mossberg 22LR.  .25 is still far cheaper than 22 powderburner ammo, so I'm of a different mindset some of the other members.  I still use my Hatsan 95QE for plinking, and it's a .25.  Sure it costs a little more per shot, but I keep half the tin of Polymags for pesting and all my other .25 ammo is for punching targets and such.

As an aside, I've really been eyeballing that refurb AT-P1 QE on AirGunProShop.  Only 50CC cylinder, so it would be a snap to hand-pump, and for putting holes it things... It's a Hatsan.  It's what they do!

Which reminds me, I need to order some JSBs in .25.

[MassGunman]

My first pcp was a disco , but I get a lot more use out of my prod , because I can fit it in a backpack . Added a folding stock and a bugbuster scope . So I guess you need to factor in "useability" unless you live in the sticks .

[pcp_Dave]

I don't know what the deal with dive shops in your area is but here in Florida (Tallahassee) I'm very lucky to have one  close to work. I shoot a Marauder in .22. I fill it from a scuba tank. I paid $65 for the tank used. It cost me $1.50 to get it topped off. I can shoot a lot before I have to take it in for top off.
No I don't have a pump and don't want one......(some of us old people are lazy)
just saying.