Air Rifle Comparo: Crosman Legacy 1000 vs Walther Terrus

[Whirligig]

Actually, comparing these two guns would be absurd.

But that's never stopped me before...

The .177 caliber Crosman Legacy can be found at Wally World for about $45. The box, which hilariously advertises the air rifle's muzzle velocity at 1000 fps, also includes the cheapest-looking 4x15 scope imaginable. The black plastic synthetic stock compliments the synthetic plastic receiver well. The all-black materials are very slimming and give the Legacy a svelte appearance, similar to an off-label copy of Victoria's Secret teddy found at a Five Below store at the strip mall. Pumping the Legacy to the maximum 10 pumps provides the same workout one might expect from the local Planet Fitness resistance machines, except with poorer ergonomics. Once the pumping lever has squeaked closed for the final compression cycle, the shooter hopefully drops a pellet into the chamber, with only the force of faith to coerce the pellet to fall nose-forward into the chamber. With the fortunate happenstance of this occurring, the bolt is pushed closed, with another plastic componant obscuring visual confirmation that the pellet is actually being pushed into the breech. After the entire process has finished, the shooter is rewarded with a trigger pull remarkably devoid of feedback that culminates in a sort of "pfffft" sound as the 7.9 grain pellet leaves the barrel at 1000 about 670 feet per second. Contrary to what the relatively low power output might indicate, this is definitely not a youth-oriented rifle, as I doubt anyone under the age of 18 would be strong enough to work the bolt, much less compress enough air into the gun's reservoir to provide for adequate velocities, even for punching paper targets or the impossibly thin metal of a modern soda or beer can. All in all, this gun provides an experience that any true airgun aficionado should not miss.

The Terrus, on the other hand, has a beautifully contoured and checkered wood stock with just the right darkness of stain and good grain to the wood. It is also has an amazingly light and smooth cocking action right out of the box. Machine work on the metal is outstanding, and though the trigger and the safety switch are plastic, there is no aspect of this gun that feels "cheap." The .22 caliber version of the gun will push both Crosman Premier Hollow Points and RWS Superdomes out at around 680-690 fps, which while not being "super-magnum" speeds, is still very impressive considering the super-light cocking weight. The light and crisp trigger is just fine out of the box, and the gun I purchased put pellets approximately where the sights said they would go with no adjustment. Without hyperbole, this is absolutely one of the most pleasant and easy-to-shoot springers that I have ever fired.

Here's a photo of the two guns next to my Hanukkah shrub.

Thanks for reading!

-Whirligig

[CraigH]

"Actually, comparing these two guns would be absurd."

Well, I would not be so harsh to say that, but they are utter different, worlds apart, and with about a 5X price difference.

It is good to read any reviews - all information is valuable.

[kzz1kaw]

Own a terrus in synthetic 22 great gun to shoot. No problem hitting a 2" target @50

[DanD]

Was just researching the Legacy, and discovered the above post. That magnificently written review deserves a bump!
Thank you for the chuckles, Whirligig!