So.....what is your upper limit? and what do you look for?

[lizzie]

I never really gave this much thought, but the thread asking about the best gun in the 1200 dollar-ish range made me ask myself.
I guess for an airgunner, I'm a pretty cheap date, relatively speaking
Thinking back, (and it's only been around 9-10 years that I've been shooting), I guess the highest amount of money I have spent on one gun was a little over 500 dollars, and it was for a beautiful vintage HW35 that Ibought from a fellow member whom I have not seen here in quite some time.
The gun is essentially a closet queen, has a really fine walnut stock, and mechanically, is beautiful. I'd shoot it, but to be honest, it's a little too large for me to handle comfortably, then there's always the possibility of marring the stock, which I don't want to do.

The thread I mentioned made me realize that I actually have a pretty well-defined mental limit in mind, and it's generally around the 500-600 dollar range, which compared to a good many, is cheap!
Generally, I want something with a good bit of age, wood stock, beautiful to look at (for a gun), precision mechanics, smooth shooting, and something that looks like the  maker(s) paid attention to quality.

All this time, I had been thinking my collection was impressive, when it isn't! HAHA!
Funneeeeeeee

Do you have a limit, and what qualities are a must,  for you to consider dropping the money on another air gun?

[bavaria55n]

1200 is way over my limit.
Except for a few vintage air guns all of mine are under $200.
Gary

[Pelletina Leadinger]

I really don't have a limit it's just that I usually end up trying to get a refurb if it's something I want bad enough. The most I spent on a single air rifle was about $600

Hatsan BT Carnivore .30 cal
Hatsan BT65 QE ,25 cal
Hatsan Bullboss .25 cal
Hatsan AT44-10S QE .25 cal
Hatsan Galatian .177 cal with Wolf LDC
Mrodair Varmint .22 cal
Gamo Urban .22 cal
Hatsan AT P2 .22 cal with Wolf LDC

Hatsan 135 Vortex QE .30 cal
Hatsan 125 Vortex .25 cal
Benjamin Trail NP2 .22 cal
Ruger Blackhawk Elite .177 cal (POS)
Hatsan Mod 25 .22 cal

Crosman 2240 .22 cal
Beeman P17 .177 cal

[bReTt]

My ceiling for airguns has raised over the years.  Once I broke that limit (don’t know what it actually was) it was easier to to do it again.  Not that what I already had wasn’t quality or good enough, this is a hobby and I work so I can sort of justify the purchases I make.  I use justify loosely there...  . I already have waaaay more than I “need”.

I don’t currently have any airgun wants other than accessories (scopes/mounts) so IF I had a limit for a new/to me airgun, I would say $500 at this moment.  But that could easily change depending on what struck my fancy.  I would consider $1200 depending on the rifle but I have to admit that I have felt pretty guilty when I spend any money on airguns.  Always have for some reason. 

[Mikeflys]

I have a small collection by this sites standard's. I have spent in the $1000.00 dollar range for a total package. Gun, optics, support equipment.  I  have 2 rifles that are in the $150.00 range and 2 that toped out higher. I have decided that any future purchases will be high end only. Just to limit what/when I will buy. It needs to be something special!

[lizzie]

You know how i "justify" it?
I tell myself it's an investment.
Lololol


(And it IS. I invest....i just wont get a return! )

[ColdTexan]

I had a old springer I used to shoot pests with. This summer I failed to hit a gofer that I thought I should have and thought I should get on the internet and order me a new gun.

WOW, I had no idea what was out there! As a result I started reading and looking into all the air rifles that were available these days. It took me some time but I ended up buying a RWS 48 and pellets for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I would not have thought when I started looking that I would EVER spend $500 on a "Pellet Gun".

Well, I DID! What's more, I had ordered a SECOND air rifle in less that 30 days. This time it was only around $150.

I don't feel in the least "cheated". I love the rifles and shoot them often. My Brother thinks I have gone CRAZY - LOL

I have been around long enough to see folks spend a TON of money on a lot of "hobby's". Check with anyone who owns a boat! I think owning quality air rifles is down right CHEEP compared to many other "hobbies"!

The Cold Texan
East Side of South Dakota (WHITE CHRISTMAS for sale! CHEEP! bring truck!)

[Nod]

That's an interesting question Lizzie. I had set my top $ at $300, but then I decided to splurge on a PCP because I wanted a .25 cal and multiple shots. Well that $300 quickly turned into $600 and will probably go a little higher. But I love the accuracy and power of the PCP.

[JimR]

Lizzie, I started the $1200ish thread kind of asking the question you pose....when is it enough ? How much is enough ? When I bought my first gun it was less than $200. That was in 2014. I am fortunate enough to have a modest collection now and catch myself looking for the next one, all the while knowing I don't NEED another. A rabbit hole for sure this hobby is !

[Mikeflys]

Lizzie, I started the $1200ish thread kind of asking the question you pose....when is it enough ? How much is enough ? When I bought my first gun it was less than $200. That was in 2014. I am fortunate enough to have a modest collection now and catch myself looking for the next one, all the while knowing I don't NEED another. A rabbit hole for sure this hobby is !

HA! That is funny! I gave up one hobby (RC Airplanes) to get into airguns. I thought I would spend less money, you know buy a rifle then just a few tins of pellets.....then a PCP, and a hand pump, and a nice scope.......then an inexpensive underlever.....then an expensive underlever......then a breakbarrel........................... RC was FAR cheaper!

[lizzie]

Lizzie, I started the $1200ish thread kind of asking the question you pose....when is it enough ? How much is enough ? When I bought my first gun it was less than $200. That was in 2014. I am fortunate enough to have a modest collection now and catch myself looking for the next one, all the while knowing I don't NEED another. A rabbit hole for sure this hobby is !

HA! That is funny! I gave up one hobby (RC Airplanes) to get into airguns. I thought I would spend less money, you know buy a rifle then just a few tins of pellets.....then a PCP, and a hand pump, and a nice scope.......then an inexpensive underlever.....then an expensive underlever......then a breakbarrel........................... RC was FAR cheaper!

I didn't intend it as a hobby. I was purely practical about it. (yeah, right!)

Needed to control sparrows and starlings in the martin houses and bluebird houses, and came here in search of answers about what kind of gun I'd need. Little did I now.........these guys are enablers!
Haha

[dv8eod]

I have always been into airguns since I was a kid. I was always jealous of the other kids with their 760s and 880s while I was running around with my little Daisy 102. I could hang with the best of them shot for shot, but distance was a deal breaker.
I've other hobbies that I've spent loads of money on, but not at the rate as this one. It took me quite a few years to build up my flytying/fishing materials. I've just as much on airguns in only a couple of years, and I'm still adding to it... 
If I'm looking at buying a rather pricey gun, I generally try to "save up" for it. That gives me plenty of time to see what others think about it and if I really want it. Also gives the manufacturers time to work out the bugs if it's something new on the market.
I really don't have a ceiling, per se, but I do try to control the "instant gratification" gene. I'm at the point now where there is only one left that I would like to own. Like all the others, that one will be awhile in coming home.

And all this started with wanting to get the squirrels out of my yard..... 

[Yng@hrt]

Great topic although one of the hardest questions to answer, honestly.

I took up this hobby because I love to hunt. I am getting up there in age though so aside from climbing the Rockies here in NM being tougher than they used to be, I don't care much for getting pounded by high powered rifles. I then stumbled onto GTA by accident which led me to pellet guns...obviously.
 
Tried out a few 880's, took them field hunting & was hooked. Here was something that was very much like archery hunting which I love. Same techniques needed to get relatively close to game. What better way to spend time with my sons & teach them what I know about hunting. Now their hooked.
 
Well those first few months of experimenting with pellet guns led me to the interests I have now. Love Vintage pumpers; both Benjamin & Sheridan’s or a combination of the two. It is also important to note that there are no closet queens here. Any & all pumpers I buy regardless of condition will be used for hunting, bench shooting, or both. Most of the guns I buy start off weak so it’s obvious they’ve sat idle for quite some time. Add a little oil. Let them sit upright over night & their good as new, knock on wood.

Price wise, it all depends on condition. There are several out there that I wouldn’t pay near what the sellers are asking. Then there are those that are in excellent condition that I will pay a fair price for.

[SSG Grampo]

I have purchased 2 rifles in the last 2 years. Hatsan Torpedo 100X ($118 new) and Browning Leverage ($77 new).  Most of my purchases have been under $300. My limit would be $500 one time only for a Walther LGU or LGV. Maybe next year.

[lizzie]

Oh! I do understand about the lack of interest in having closet queens. That was always my original intent, but the 35 is just too large for me, and prior to buying it, I didn't really have a good concept of that. The other air rifle I have which is too large, is my R1, but it's such an excellent starling gun, I shoot it anyway. Lots of fun!

[lizzie]

I have purchased 2 rifles in the last 2 years. Hatsan Torpedo 100X ($118 new) and Browning Leverage ($77 new).  Most of my purchases have been under $300. My limit would be $500 one time only for a Walther LGU or LGV. Maybe next year.

Hi Bill (don't think we've "met")-
I have been hearing about the Walthers quite often lately. I may have to give one of those a try at some point.

[SSG Grampo]

Hi Lizzie, nice to meet you. The LGU/LGV seem to be a very worthy competitor for the AA TX200. I would love to have any of them.....

[Bill_in_TR]

Well you will have to put me in the cheapskate camp. I prefer to classify it as the low budget camp. I doubt I will ever spend over $400 on an airgun. And I would also not likely ever have more than a small handful of them. I have always tried to get as much quality for my money as possible in any hobby I have pursued. Probably because I have never had the budget for high end stuff.

[nervoustrigger]

My limit is around $500.  The fun is in the variety…multiple calibers, power plants, form factors, sizes and weights, and so forth.  So I’ve never really had the desire for the stuff in the $1k and higher range.  That would only serve to limit the variety I can have.  And as someone who enjoys working on them, I really can’t ask for more when for $200 I can whip up a regulated PCP that will consistently snipe ½” Mardi Gras beads hanging from my 43 yard target and plug gray squirrels in the brain.  In the last couple of years, the $200 - $300 price segment of PCPs (along with inexpensive pumps) has really become rich with options so there’s never been a better time to get in the game. 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Here is what I have spent so far, not counting pellets Lizzie. I had two rifles that I gave away (Crosman Vantage @ $115 & Benjamin Legacy @ $105 ) that would have added $ 220 to the Total.

** = Serious Hunting Gun       ## = Backyard Shooters With The Grandkids

## Stoeger X-3 = 0 (given to me)
## B-3             = 0 (given to me)
** XL 1100       = 0  ( trade )
** 25 cal Edge  =  $99
** 117 Striker   =  $130
## 2100.          =  $39
## 1377.          =  $13
## NXG.           =  $40
**  Sniper25cal  = $140
**  S Ranger      = $89 ( after rebate, discounts and bonus bucks. $159 list price at PA )

Total.           = $550 ($770)

Scopes  = $135    Guns  =  $550 >> Grand Total = $ 685          Adding Give Aways ($220) = $905   

I am not sure what my upper limit would be, as I have not spent any more than $140 on any one gun. Maybe $ 1200 tops, for everything.   My limited budget, being retired now, does not allow for any big expenditures for air rifles. I have tried to focus on rifles that were very durable and shot well. I prefer plastic stocks because they take a beating in rough hunting situations.  Climbing over ice covered rocks, is very hard on a nice hardwood gun stock.  I have a Ruger 22 PB rifle, with several very deep gouges in the wood stock and fore grip. The plastic stocks on most of my air rifle have seen the same environment and have faired much better.  I am thinking of coating some of my gun stocks with truck bed liner, to add to their durability, even more.        Best Wishes - Tom