New to air guns, what should I buy?

[Hoyle]

Hey all, new guy here

I have plenty of powder burners (including a suppressed .22LR bolt action)

I would like to get into the air gun game but I want to get a gun that would be even quieter than my bolt .22LR

Any decent options out there? After doing some reading, it sounds like a springer would be a good starter for my first air gun

Gamo whispers sound pretty quiet, but I’ve heard from some people they are junk

I plan on using this for target shooting out to about 50 yards, and killing varmint in the yard

I have close neighbors so something quiet is kind of important

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Mike...You Might Want To Take A Look At This One On Sale At Midway.       Quiet-Powerfull-Affordable-Accurate

It has a Moderator on it so it is VERY Quiet.  I bought one of these rifles for my son. He has Pest problems at his new lake home. This gun shoots very well and is  indeed Quiet. I would suggest a better scope than the one that comes with it.  I put an illuminated reticule CP 3-9X32 Mill dot scope on the one that I bought.                                My Best Wishes to You Sir  -  Tom

This Gun is on sale and Sells for $ 69.99 at Midway

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/455652/crosman-redtail-nitro-piston-break-barrel-air-rifle-22-caliber-pellet-black-synthetic-stock-matte-barrel-with-4x-32mm-scope-matte

Here is a good scope to look at. It is a Hammers 3-9X32 AO Scope. It sells for $54.53 at Amazon and comes with a rugged one piece mount.   I have this one and is is VERY GOOD.  Much better that a Combo Scope and the Optics are exceptionally clear.


ie=UTF8&qid=1524755052&sr=8-3&keywords=hammer+scope


Here is a 3-9X40 AO Magnum Hammers Scope for a little more money. $59.88

[bandg]

I would suggest buying the best quality you can afford.  Might mean the difference between enjoying airguns and giving them up.  Air Arms has nice models as does HW, Diana, and Walther.  Among the smoothest and most quiet I have is the Walther LGU/LGV and I would buy either again in a heartbeat.

[Novagun]

As a broad statement, Weihrauch and Diana are the best springers. Walther are pretty good as well. All the others are just runners up and some just junk.
If you buy a Diana 34 or a Weihrauch HW 95 you will have a very good gun that is worth the extra price and then you will be hooked. One airgun will never be enough.

[lizzie]

I have two older whispers (2004 iirc). I wouldn't call them junk at all. Nice shooteers in fact.
That being said, my older Diana 34 is easier to shoot accurately.
All what I would consider nice guns worthy of having!

Oh! And I have a vintage target savage/anschutz .22 LR that I wouldn't sell for anything...great gun!

[triggertreat]

I would skip the springers and go with a PCP, but you will have to pay for air with a PCP.  The advantages, once setup with an air supply like a hand pump or a tank filled at a scuba shop, or your own compressor, is multi-shot, very quiet, no recoil and no special hold.  I started out with a springer and now have a PCP.  I am so glad I got rid of the single shot, inaccurate springer and got a PCP.  The PCP is way more accurate, tunable and enjoyable to me.

[Roadworthy]

You never stated your budget.  My unsuppressed .22 rimfire shooting subsonic CCI long rifles seems about the same noise level as my Diana 34.  Suppressed it would probably be quieter. 

Fifty yards is about the limit for airguns unless you want to go .25 caliber or larger.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Instead of a brand, I am going to suggest an under-lever or side-lever instead of a break barrel.
To me the solid mounted barrel just takes a variable out of the equation.

[Rob M]

DONT BUY A SPRINGER, unless its 600 DOLLARS OR MORE.. too much headache , and like someone said , it may cause you to quit if anything.. get a co2 rifle or pcp , a discovery, maximus , beeman chief, a gamo urban , a gauntlet, a xs60, qb78, and umarex fusion are all better options.. Its simply easier to get great accuracy out the box.

[bandg]

Agree on the under lever or side lever design as a general principle.  I have a Walther LGU and Diana 460 as well as an HW97.  But I do also own an LGV as noted.  The lockup mechanism on that action seems to be exceptionally solid.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I was going to suggest a CO2 powered airgun but with Hoyle living in Michigan it would only be good about half the year.
(Warm temps that is.)

[Rob M]

I was going to suggest a CO2 powered airgun but with Hoyle living in Michigan it would only be good about half the year.
(Warm temps that is.)

yea, noticed that right after I posted.. an economical pcp and a handpump can be had now for 270 all told.

[lizzie]

DONT BUY A SPRINGER, unless its 600 DOLLARS OR MORE.. too much headache , and like someone said , it may cause you to quit if anything.. get a co2 rifle or pcp , a discovery, maximus , beeman chief, a gamo urban , a gauntlet, a xs60, qb78, and umarex fusion are all better options.. Its simply easier to get great accuracy out the box.

Jmo, but I must  disagree. Part of the beauty if springers is that they make one a better shooter generally. Yes, they are difficult!
Yes, the challenge is fun!  I would recommend one to anyone who really wants to master the art of shooting, even if it is only on rare occasion to hone one's skills.

[HASHTAG]

I would start with pcp. Get a middle grade or higher. Spend the extra cash something to add to your collection of firearms in general. If you do go with pcp I would assume a hand pump at first if you are capable of pumping it yourself and have no means of filling a carbon fiber tank. If you can get a carbon fiber tank filled to max pressure. Then also spend a little more money and get it. Saves you time when you want to play.

Used tank as long as not out of date is the key to saving money on this package.

If you enjoy it then research springers and get one later..........

Lol

[Rob M]

DONT BUY A SPRINGER, unless its 600 DOLLARS OR MORE.. too much headache , and like someone said , it may cause you to quit if anything.. get a co2 rifle or pcp , a discovery, maximus , beeman chief, a gamo urban , a gauntlet, a xs60, qb78, and umarex fusion are all better options.. Its simply easier to get great accuracy out the box.

Jmo, but I must  disagree. Part of the beauty if springers is that they make one a better shooter generally. Yes, they are difficult!
Yes, the challenge is fun!  I would recommend one to anyone who really wants to master the art of shooting, even if it is only on rare occasion to hone one's skills.and yes , I tried to guide him , told him all the remedies, but he was fed up by the time we spoke

and that all depends on if someone enjoys those challenges,., I once suggested to a friend in Florida to get an airgun ,that hed love it;.. I owned a marauder 25 at the time , and he saw what I was doing in videos ,  so he went and bought a crosman gas ram.. Needless to say in about 3 hrs I was bombarded with texts.. He couldn't shoot it straight , too hard to cock , it was dieseling, etc etc.. He returned the springer with disgust and never tried another gun..SO its not always fun with the twang and smoke for a newb to airguns,

[archellas]

Springers have their place in airguns, but coming from powder burners, springers have a leaning curve that is somewhat harder to overcome due to longterm powder shooting habits. Special hold (artillery), lots of practice, and repeatability may cause frustration, and eventually lead one to not liking airguns, and moving on all together. Yes, as Lizzie has said, it is a lot of fun, and teaches you 'good' habits. It does require patience and discipline.

CO2 and PCP rifles tend to handle closer to powder burners, and therefore are much easier to transition into.  Like someone else said, CO2 is affected by temperature, so it will not provide year round usage. there are a few 'good' CO2 rifles (usually a bit more expensive).

This leaves PCP. They handle like regular powder rifles, they do not need special scopes, and use a lot of the same discipline you already have. This being said, PCPs can be expensive to start with - due to needing an air supply. Pumps are cheap, but you will get tired of it quickly. SCBA or Scuba tanks are the next step, can be bought reasonably in used condition, and can be refilled at a dive shop for cheap. Obviously, the best option is a compressor, which is the most expensive option, but it is a one time investment.

When I came back to airguns, I started off with springers - or gasrams, and bought several before I gave in and got a PCP. I eventually sold most (I did say 'most') of my springers and only buy PCP now. Having several, I find I hardly shoot break barrels anymore, due the accuracy and power of PCP.

PCP rifles start as low a couple hundred these days, and move up. The very highly rated, regulated, suppressed repeater is currently the Umarex Gauntlet, which sells for $300! Lots of mods are now becoming available and can be tuned to your liking.

This is simply my personal opinion, and I am not endorsing any specific product.

Cheers

[Earl]

A good bolt action 22 with a silencer and subsonic ammo is a tough act to follow.

The Benjamin Marauder and Umarex Gauntlet are good quiet guns.
I like the $45 hand pumps from ebay for air supply.
Both the guns and the pumps have a learning period.

The Browning Leverage is a good starter gun and the most accurate spring type gun that I own.
It comes with a good scope and is an easy gun to learn to shoot.

I have 8 break barrels and I am not happy with any of them because I cannot shoot them accurately.
The Gamo Whisper Fusion Elite is my favorite break barrel.
Read this post if you want a break barrel: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=142763.0

Walmart has a Umarex Fusion for $85 that is a bargain for a CO2 gun if you can shoot from inside your home where it is warm. 
CO2 does not work good below 70 degrees F.

My favorite pistol is the Beeman P17 from Amazon for $32.89. 
It is an ACCURATE, fun, simple, $100 gun for $32.89.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Well Mike..there you have it. Many opinions from many different viewpoints. The PCP guns are going to be the most accurate and give you the most range but they will need to be suppressed because unsuppressed PCP can be very loud.  The entry level PCP's start at around $300 and go up from there.  The Finely Crafted Spring Guns can get expensive too but are of HIGH Quality.  So now it gets down to what is your Budget and what are you willing to spend.  The guns in my signature all shoot well out to 25 to 35 yards. They are mostly less expensive budget type guns. The other option is a Multi-Pump.  I have a 1979 Sheridan Silver Streak that is Very Accurate. I was shooting 1/2 inch groups with it today out to 25 yards. It shoots like a PCP but does not have PCP power.  There are MANY guns that are MUCH better and NICER than mine but mine get the job done. I do a lot of small game hunting in the Fall and Winter months. I hunt in Rugged Forest Terrain and in Extreme Weather Conditions.  Much of my hunting in winter is done while wearing snow shoes.  If I drop one of my guns out of a tree or from a Cliff outcrop I either fix it or I replace it.  If I have to replace it I am not out much in the way of money.   I try to keep most of my hunting shots in the 25 to 35 yard range. A lot of guns will do that.  At 100 yards and beyond....that is a completely different story there. That is PCP Territory and the Territory of a Very Few Highly Tuned - Expertly Crafted-  Spring guns.   Every one here will have an opinion of which is the best gun to buy based on what THEY like and what they are willing to spend and do to a gun. You have gotten many different answers to your question already.   It is Your Money...What are You willing to spend and what do you need.
What are your EXPECTATIONS in an air gun ?  Every Air Gun Type will have it's "down-side" to it.  What Caliber do you think you want ?  Gun Caliber is another a whole different "can of worms" with many different opinions there too.  What is your Expected accuracy at the range that you plan to shoot at.  Do you feel a 1 inch group is good enough or do you want 3 holes touching (Clover Leaf) or do you want just one ragged hole, for say, 3 shots ?    There are lots of things to think about and consider before you make your purchase.  I hope we all have been of some help to you sir.  The problem is.. you did not get one answer from all of us.... and all answers were RIGHT.. based upon that individual and what they do and like.    So there it is.   Keep on asking questions and try to get a feel for what will work out best for You,...BEFORE.. you spend your money.   Just Remember you will get many different answers and many different opinions.  You will need to sort it all out mentally and find the best fit for You.

Good Luck Mike !         My Best Wishes To You Sir      -         Tom

[lefteyeshot]

Google Flying Dragon Air rifles XS25SFB and you see a cool gun with a laminated bamboo thumb hole stock in .177 or .22. $75. Same gun as a Ruger Airhawk which is a clone of a RWS 34. Get the $100 Mike Millick tune. Total $175.

Get a Center point scope and a one piece scope mount. Adjustable mag and AO and mildots is nice.

Get some decent pellets. RWS Meisterkugeln, Super Mags or Super Domes.

Say $300-350 for all that. You might want something nicer later but I don't think you'd be disappointed with that.

Or if you got plenty of money an HW98 $700

Or if I had only $100 go to Pyamyd Air and look at the Remington Express refurb $90. .177 nice looking wood stock, open sights, good copy of a Rekord trigger and comes with a scope and soft rifle case. Or a new Crosman Optima for a $100 and have a GRT trigger put in it.

All of those are springers. I'm a springer guy. Don't care for gas ram and I wouldn't walk across the street to pick up a free PCP. But that's just me.

Most important thing is this is suppose to be fun stuff. No worry and angst allowed. Enjoy, Tim

[Telecaster]

What air rifle should you buy?

Short-form answer:  Buy the highest-quality German or U.K. made spring-piston rifle of 11 to 13 ft/lbs of muzzle energy, 15 ft/lbs tops,  that your wallet can stand, and don't consider anything else.

Shorter-form answer:  Buy a Beeman R-9 / Weihrauch HW-95 (same rifle, more or less) and enjoy a lifetime of spring-piston bliss that begins straight out of the box.  You will have enough power to do what most people do with such things, and you will also have precision that can rival that of a pre-charged pneumatic when in experienced hands.  You will have the best trigger to ever come on a "sporter" spring-piston rifle.  You will have a durable, heirloom-quality build, in an enthusiast-level rifle, with enthusiast-level knowledge base and aftermarket support for spares and maintenance items.  If you can tinker with 10/22's and AR-15's and 1911's, you can likely do any maintenance like spring and seal changes on an R-9 yourself. 

If you're in to gunsmithing first and formost, going Gamo or Chinese might be fun.  If you want to take something out of the box, mount a scope to it, and shoot it, I think you have three basic choices in the $400.00 or less range.

I think R-9's go for about $400.00 now.

A lower cost alternative might be a Diana 34 at about $300.00

An even lower cost alternative might be the German-made Walther Terrus at about $150.00 from some vendors when you catch them on sale.  These have only been on the market for a couple of years or three but the initial reviews I saw on YouTube and in Internet Print were glowing.  I was shopping for pellets on a vendor site that had these things on sale at a price to low to ignore, so I bought one to see how good a $150.00 air rifle with "Made in Germany" stamped on it can be.  For the US market, these things are a 12 to 13 ft/lb rifle in .177, from what I gather, which is fine with me.  I had no trouble killing rabbits stone-cold dead with my Webley Omega at 11.5 ft/lbs and wouldn't today if I still used the thing frequently.  I don't because Webley haven't been a going concern for a long while and I don't know how tough it is to get replacement springs and seals for it.  I got more than my money's worth out of it for 34 years, so I think the old girl can enjoy semi-retirement. 

As much as I am a fan-boy of the R-9  / HW-95, there are some things about it that I don't like all that well.  I don't like the insanely long reach to the trigger blade.  I know that in the UK, you can get set-back trigger blades for Rekord triggers and if I could get them here, I'd enjoy shooting my R-9s even more.  Another thing I dislike is the Weihrauch safety.  It is an inconvenient afterthought; it isn't convenient to reach and once disengaged, can only be re-engaged by going through a cocking stroke with the barrel.  That is a pain in the tookus at times, especially when hunting. 

The Terrus appears to have a more normal reach to the trigger blade, and the safety is both conveniently located and re-settable.  I've never had a Umarex gun before, so I don't know how tough it is to get seals and springs from them, but the Terrus looks pretty straightforward to disassemble and put back together from YouTube videos so if the thing shoots 1" or less at fifty and has the shot cycle reviewers claim it has, with a decent trigger, it might become my new main squeeze.   

I would rather have a 12 ft/lb rifle that I can hit a 1" circle with at 50 yards than a 24 ft/lbs, scope-eating, hold-sensitive monster that I can't.

My Omega gets 11.5 foot pounds from flinging 8.44 grain Exacts out of the barrel at 785 fps.  They're still moving along at about 590 fps at 50 yards for 6.5 foot pounds of thump, which is more than enough to shoot through a cottontail's head.  The Terrus, running just a tad hotter than that, shouldn't have any issues killing rabbits instantly dead, as far off as I care to shoot them with an air rifle. 

The Terrus also comes with a UNF thread at the muzzle for a "can" if you're in to that, as you state that you are, but at the power level it puts out, it shouldn't need one, and a can won't mask the mechanical noise of the action, anyhow.  But since you have a "can"......   And since the Terrus is already threaded for one......   If you want "silent," here it very well may be.

Mine is on the way.  I should have it Tuesday.  I'll shoot it Wednesday, with chrono data, trigger pull weights, group c.t.c., and the whole shebang, which I will post up on the German-gate.

If you want more power, though I don't know why you would, there is a bigger, heavier, Parrus model for about $30.00 more.  It is also threaded for a can. 

Happy Shooting
JP