Benj NP/NP2 Best bang for the buck choice

[SlowWalker]

I have no experience with the Benjamin line of NP's . They kind of all look pretty much the same to me,  in terms of internals with mostly cosmetic differences determining the price difference between models. So the question is, which model, in your opinion, is a best buy.

Thanks!

[Wolverineshooter]

The hearts are either NP or NP2. NP2 are more powerful and supposedly more accurate. Hey differ in stocks, sights, sound suppression, hooks for belts and trigger etc..

I have Crusher which is NP, I have to exchange twice before getting one that is accurate. I did change the trigger screw which lightens the trigger pull, that helps with accuracy. So decide on what types of these characteristics you want and then go from there

I also have a Mayhem SBD which is NP2, it is accurate out of box. I plan to change the trigger as well to make it lighter.

I would look for sales. For example, the Mayhem is $230 regularly on Amazon but when it is on sale it could be much cheaper

Good luck!

[GreenDragon]

Having owned both NP and NP2's, it is worth the extra $'s to go with the NP2.  Less "recoil" ie smoother shot cycle, much better trigger, and better sound suppression. 

[Roadworthy]

The NP series - no matter which model, is a Chinese B18 . B19 clone of a Gamo design.  The NP2 is a newer refinement of that design with a few improvements (especially the trigger) thrown in.  I had an NP gun (Nitro Venom) and installed an NP2 trigger pack, making a world of difference.  If you must choose between the two options go for a member of the NP2 family.
If you are not restricted to choosing only between those two look long and hard at an RWS - Diana 34 or a Weihrauch HW 95.  The triggers are far superior to any Crosman offering and either gun should easily exceed your expectations.

[selittle]

And now we have the Nitro Elite series...

[Roadworthy]

Reading reviews on Pyramyd Air the Nitro Elite series appears to be an NP2 with an enhanced silencer, not a complete redesign as the description implies.
Whatever you get, do some careful research before laying down your money.

[maverick06]

I have the benjamin ironhide in .22. It has surprised me in a few ways, really accurate! Its gold sbd... My only other pellet gun is a 1377, so I didnt know what to expect from a NP gun.... yeah its loud... put a lot of pellets through. I live in a small house, when the kids to go to sleep, i am not shooting it.... its pretty noisy. But its really accurate. The recoil is pretty serious. if its not good into your shoulder, itll hurt... very smooth cocking effort. Its a really nice gun, I like it a lot. Its not a silent machine by any means, but if this is better than most others, jeez they must be loud...

recommend it!

[1mtnMike]

I have read the other posts.  I have a 1377 pistol, and a NP2 p2 in .22 cal, wood stock, cp 3-9x40 ao, and a cdt cbr trigger, it is all metal, not composite.  I've been shooting it for about a year, I hit dimes at 100 yds, not everytime, but sometimes on the first shot, it's accurate, and it breaks new pennies in half at 25+, bhp 14.3's.

About shooting my np2 accurately:
I had to master the artillery hold.  Forget everything I knew about shooting rifles, watch the video, air gun Depot I think, many times, and often until it's natural, because it's not at first, like a propper golf grip, but it works, good. I hold my rifle like a putter, so loose it almost falls out of my hands.  And my shoulder should not hurt, ever.

You must replace the factory trigger with a cdt CBR trigger.  Forget anything you may Google about modding factory trigger, rc bearing, etc, it's the geometry that makes the difference, like a surfboard shape, and it's got two adj screws, It's thirty bucks and makes the gun a dream to shoot, and much more accurate at long range, hardest part is waiting the 10 days for it.

PS I am upgrading to a utg 16 or 20x 30mm scope soon, need to see those dimes!
Planning on using for Rimfire as well. Wish now I would have done it at time of purchase, or bought separate.  I have heard the wood stock is more accurate because it's heavier.  My barrel was very dirty new, goo gone patches on a string.

I wouldn't expect to see your potential with this rifle without the above.

Regardless of what others may say the gun is very quiet, and gets quieter with breaking in, which took me at least a thousand plus pellets not 400, accuracy was terrible at first too, but then,....!  Good luck, have fun!

[Wolverineshooter]

Thanks Mike for all the detailed information.

I have the NP2 SBD .22 which is accurate, but not close to what you are getting. I do not believe CBT trigger apply to my rifle, but it may work for other models. I bought trigger spring replacement which supposedly can reduce trigger pull to 1lb. My Crusher and Summit could take CBTs

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

I have no experience with the Benjamin line of NP's . They kind of all look pretty much the same to me,  in terms of internals with mostly cosmetic differences determining the price difference between models. So the question is, which model, in your opinion, is a best buy.

Thanks!

I have 3 rifles that fit the OP's description.   

Rifle #1 in the Top Picture.. is an old (2010) 117cal Crosman Vantage NP 1... mounted into a refinished Benjamin Titan Thumbhole stock.  I replaced the original trigger adjustment screw with a longer one but kept the stock trigger. I originally applied teflon to the trigger parts 8 years ago after I had changed the adj. screw.  I let the teflon dry for 48 hrs. then adjusted the longer trigger screw slowly until the rifle fired. I then reversed direction on the adjustment screw 1 1/2 turns.    Much improved trigger now.

Rifle #2  in the Middle Picture.. is a 22cal Crosman Summit Ranger NP 2.    This one has the original Clean Break Trigger.   This trigger is all
original and is set for a medium pull.

Rifle #3 in the Bottom Picture... is a Gen I  22cal Benjamin Trail 1100  NP XL.  This one has a CDT III trigger.  The trigger is set for light pull 1st stage and a stiff pulling "hair trigger" second stage.

The Crosman Summit Ranger NP2 is the easiest to cock and is the easiest to learn to shoot.  The power of the Summit Ranger NP2 rifle is in between that of the Vantage NP#1 and the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100.   The NP#2 rifle is the quietest of the three, even without a shroud and has a threaded barrel that would accept a LDC Moderator if so desired.     All three guns are very accurate and hard hitting, they will hold 1 inch groups ( Quarter Sized ) out to 35yds.  The primary function of these three rifles is small game hunting.

I hope this helps sir                 My Best Wishes - Tom


Clicking the picture twice will produce a much larger image of the rifles below.

[mobilehomer]

NP2 all the way. Yes, the CBR IS the correct replacement for the CBT. Make sure the one you choose has the Picatinny/Weaver rail. The best way to prevent scope creep.

[xtred1]

I adjusted up my CBT so it feels just like a two stage trigger. It is a little heavy but it is predictable and the same each time. I really have to complaints on the trigger.   

[Wolverineshooter]

Bought from eBay the trigger kit and replaced the spring and screw, polish and applied moly. Now it is super nice trigger. Shot two pellets in one hole and exactly at the target. Much better than something already good.

[1mtnMike]

Bought from eBay the trigger kit and replaced the spring and screw, polish and applied moly. Now it is super nice trigger. Shot two pellets in one hole and exactly at the target. Much better than something already good.

Glad to hear you got it going smoothly, I considered some of those mod options as well.  Just curious does your first stage (?) drag, or is it free moving? do you know how many pounds it breaks at? Can you adjust it, length of pull, first and second stages, release pressure?  Just FYI the cdt CBR trigger does all of these, I'm not sure if your stock mod set up will do any of these.  The stock trigger does not have a true 2-stage geometry, it is the shape of the CDT cbr trigger, the geometry, and the two adjustment screws, and the proper spring and the adjustment washers, and mostly, cdt's lifetime experience, that make it a dime hitter at a hundred yards. 

I am not affiliated with CDT triggers in any way it's the first one I bought, but not the last, I  will order a new cdt trigger for any gun I purchase if it's available.  It's always there if you've got an extra 30 bucks and 10 days to wait.  Good luck np2 brother!

Ps:  Chopping my np2 wood stock some more today, and my .177 barrel and quick change parts come from crosman (Velocity Outdoor?) Dimes at 125? Maybe. A trip down the mountain from the oak forest and gold mine down to the desert, Borrego Springs, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Wiley Mountain Mike, out.

[Wolverineshooter]

My first stage moves fairly freely, about 1/2 inches. I do not have a measurement tool but I guess it should be around 1.5lbs to break. I can adjust the sirst stage travel but not the trigger pull weight. I used the kit from ebay that sells for $15 and I am very happy with the outcome. CBR triggers are great but I have not used them. My understanding is that the CBR trigger is ease to install.

I also have a Summit and a Crusher, one is NP2 and one is NP. I did the screw mod for the trigger for the Crusher, which is much better than the stock, but no where close with the spring + screw mod. Maybe I should find a lighter screw to do a similar mod.

[1mtnMike]

Hello Wolverine shooter, shout out to an np2 brother!  Coast to Coast, could be could we be farther away in the lower 48? Maine I guess.

This started out in np2 best bang for your buck maybe it should have been in CDT trigger thread, but; so this is the third np or np2 platform gun you've owned and you've never tried a CDT trigger, I presume.  How do you know what you're missing if you've never tasted chocolate?

I'm telling you man, just try one next time, trust me.  Let us know if you feel, see a difference from stock mods, I'm curious.

PS thank you for the discourse, much appreciated.  Somehow calls to mind one of my favorite movie quotes, Meryl Streep's character in the movie adaptation with Nick Cage, she says "I want to know what it is to be passionate about something, because it shrinks your world down to a more manageable size".  Apparently her world was neither small nor manageable, a common human symptom today, therein air gunning.

[kenstogie]

Is it easy to id the NP vs the NP2?  Serial # or something?

[lefteyeshot]

If you're looking for a bargain PA has the .22 cal. Benjamin Titan GP NP for $99. The .177 $149.

[kenstogie]

If you're looking for a bargain PA has the .22 cal. Benjamin Titan GP NP for $99. The .177 $149.

good price.....usually  it seems the .177 is on sale not the .22

[Wolverineshooter]

Mike, I am sure the CDT are great triggers. I came close to ordering some for a few of my Games and NPs. Although I have let them go due to various problems. I may still pick up one to try., Maybe for the Summit, which has a slightly stronger but very crisp trigger, not too bad.