Best bang for the buck PCP under $700.00

[keithd]

Anti-squirrel 
I appreciate your no nonsense approach and opinion.

Thank you for your input

[rkr]

Leland,

Yeah, my Scorpion's configuration is a pig lol.  I would've preferred a non 1200 Scorpion.  It's ok.  My T200 is my light pcp.

Taso

Shorter barrels (15" or 18.5") and matching air cylinders can be bought from Knibbs.

[keithd]

Which ever gun I choose, is there a simple pump and tank option? That would be recommended

[.]

Keith,

I can no longer recommend the Air Max Varmint for you in your situation. I just got two, and yes, the bang-for-the-buck-ness of the deal is sweet, but one of mine is a leaker. Now, yes, it is likely a simple fix, but for a first-timer, something like this can lead to getting soured fast. If the seller had a rep for great customer service, then it would be different, but this seller doesn't, and that could also sour you quickly.

Your first PCP needs to work, out-of-the-box, no worries. I don't think the Varmint can deliver that confidence...

Chickie

[RAJOD]

Keith,

I can no longer recommend the Air Max Varmint for you in your situation. I just got two, and yes, the bang-for-the-buck-ness of the deal is sweet, but one of mine is a leaker. Now, yes, it is likely a simple fix, but for a first-timer, something like this can lead to getting soured fast. If the seller had a rep for great customer service, then it would be different, but this seller doesn't, and that could also sour you quickly.

Your first PCP needs to work, out-of-the-box, no worries. I don't think the Varmint can deliver that confidence...

Chickie

Sorry about that.  Simple rule of thumb when looking at a web page.   When you see giant all caps RED, GREEN and YELLOW like they are shouting think con artist, porn, virus.    Think maybe this is not honest.    Its not universal but pretty accurate on most sites.  I'm not sure why that is, maybe dishonest people are attracted to huge capitol letters and red, green, purple yellow colors.   Usually the sites look like a mess, like "Hey I made this myself" no kidding.

Sorry to any of you honest folks that have web sites with those same huge capitol letters.  I suggest changing it cause I won't buy from you.

[RAJOD]

Keith,

I can no longer recommend the Air Max Varmint for you in your situation. I just got two, and yes, the bang-for-the-buck-ness of the deal is sweet, but one of mine is a leaker. Now, yes, it is likely a simple fix, but for a first-timer, something like this can lead to getting soured fast. If the seller had a rep for great customer service, then it would be different, but this seller doesn't, and that could also sour you quickly.

Your first PCP needs to work, out-of-the-box, no worries. I don't think the Varmint can deliver that confidence...

Chickie

Sorry about that.  Simple rule of thumb when looking at a web page.   When you see giant all caps RED, GREEN and YELLOW like they are shouting think con artist, porn, virus.    Think maybe this is not honest.    Its not universal but pretty accurate on most sites.  I'm not sure why that is, maybe dishonest people are attracted to huge capitol letters and red, green, purple yellow colors.   Usually the sites look like a mess, like "Hey I made this myself" no kidding.

Sorry to any of you honest folks that have web sites with those same huge capitol letters.  I suggest changing it cause I won't buy from you.

But you sometimes get what you pay for.  $219.00 did you really expect a Daystate?    On the cheap I would stick with a bigger name like Crosman at least you know its has a company that will help you on warranty issues.

Scorpion SE is my Vote still.   

[.]

But you sometimes get what you pay for.  $219.00 did you really expect

It was only $179, and it was a great value, if it actually held air, lol, but even if were only  $1.79, I'd expect it to work as advertised.

If fixing it will be more trouble than shipping it back, well, then, I will send it back.

No worries.

[K.O.]

Me I am a tinkerer... I want a Discovery with upgraded valve retention screws(and will still only fill to 2500 psi not 3000). some dremmel porting,  a Maximus 26" Barrel and extra barrel band to help the tiny breech screw... I think that will be a lot of bang for the $...

as is the Maxi does very well for the sub $200 tho...

here is a review of the .177 and it is pretty impressive for no tuning done...

   

I think with a challenger power adjuster (or other) to get it into each pellets sweet spot and a bit of blueprinting it would be even better...


My ten meter indoor(and outdoors) rifles are not pcp... they are single pump Daisy and you would be hard pressed to find better... 100$ thru the CMP for a used 853 is hard to beat period..

[triggertreat]

But you sometimes get what you pay for.  $219.00 did you really expect

It was only $179, and it was a great value, if it actually held air, lol, but even if were only  $1.79, I'd expect it to work as advertised.

If fixing it will be more trouble than shipping it back, well, then, I will send it back.

No worries.

Bummer, I did look at the website and it even had me wanting one, but I always look for what they don't say or leave out along with the overall capabilities.  I just can't bring myself to order a gun without access to easy replacement parts and great customer support like Crosman has.  I really wanted an FX impact and now the new Crown coming out, but they are so far away (Sweden) it's scary as I consider future needs I might have with the gun down the road.  I feel for Keith trying to decide which way to go.  I already gave him my thoughts for a first gun...He will eventually have to just dive in and hope for the best.  There is a member's gate he can sell on if needed.

[keithd]

Thank you all for being honest and objective

[RAJOD]

Which ever gun I choose, is there a simple pump and tank option? That would be recommended

I just bought new tanks 74cuft.   I don't like the prices but they work great no issues.  They are ready to go pre hydro tested good for 5 years before next one and 15 years total (Maybe 30 years if they change law)

http://www.airguntanks.com/
Something like that.   I would get quick disconnects so you can have the hose off the tank for transportation.
Finding a used tank is a sub topic and lots of searching on Ebay.    Buyer beware on some of the used ebay tanks.   

Get a hill or Air Venturi hand pump - keep the gun to 2000 psi max fill type if you go hand pump.

Guns -your head is spinning lol.   They all shoot pretty good.   Just trying to find the best bang for the buck can be time consuming.   Its always - for just a little bit more money I could have this or that.

Do you know that you have a place that can fill a tank to 4500 psi near you?  How much do they charge?   Typically $8.00-10.00 range but I've heard some go $20.00.     

[horseman76]

Hands down you can't beat an airforce rifle, on one frame you can easily go from .177 , .20, .22, .25 cal. Barrels from 12" to 24", change out in a few min. LW barrels , super accurate. Power is adjustable , no tools. Some really hi shot strings on lower settings. A good choice in Pcp! Good luck in your quest. Wayne

[RAJOD]

Hands down you can't beat an airforce rifle, on one frame you can easily go from .177 , .20, .22, .25 cal. Barrels from 12" to 24", change out in a few min. LW barrels , super accurate. Power is adjustable , no tools. Some really hi shot strings on lower settings. A good choice in Pcp! Good luck in your quest. Wayne

Yes good point on the Air Force, no one mentioned them.   I've never tried one but they looked to be well made for the money.   

Caliber - I think over all .22 is the best.   Cheap pellets, flat trajectory and can kill everything the 25 can with less air.   
I would not get .17 unless there was some kind of legal issue going .22.    Guy at our last shoot had a .17 cal RAW bench gun.   He did well at 20 yards but at 50 he could not hang with the .22s due to wind. 

[Nomadic Pirate]

Hands down you can't beat an airforce rifle,

Hmmm, well, I believe that is extremely debatable

[triggertreat]

I could be wrong, but aren't the AF guns only single shot.  That would keep me away from them with all of the multishots available.

[LDP]

I could be wrong, but aren't the AF guns only single shot.  That would keep me away from them with all of the multishots available.

Yes single shot. With AF rifles people either love them or hate them. They have some cons and the pros they have can be found in other pcp platforms that dont have the cons of the AF rifles. Like I said you either love them or hate them. I owned three that did alright for me but when a plain Jane condor ss costs over $700 there are other options out there for the same or just a little more money that do so much more.

[Wayne52]

I've always wanted to try the Airforce but in reality that's a lot of money to see what they're like

[keithd]

The airforce guns just don't have any appeal to me.

[Phire Phite]

The Prod was mentioned a few times.  Not sure if you can still get them or not, but what about the double tube kit for one?  Can be tuned for 8 hard hitting shots or 56 on low power.  Short and handy for hunting. Fills are under 3000psi so pumping is easier.   Not a true rifle so to speak though if that's what you're after.  We're not making this easy, but at least you figured out one brand/style that you don't want.

[triggertreat]

If I wanted a gun that I could have confidence in right out of the box site unseen that was a little nicer and lighter than a Marauder, I believe I would have to go with the Regal.  I checked out a couple of them at the GTA fun shoot this year and they are very nice and much easier to hold.  Very quiet and very accurate as well.  I checked out many guns while there for a few days and this is one that really stood out the most overall to me.  it's a little pricey and so are the spare magazines, but it would get my vote for a Marauder alternative.  The .22 platform would be the best choice for all around needs.

Here is a link:  Daystate Huntsman Regal XL