One of the most compelling reasons to buy good vintage airguns

[45flint]

Yes if your in this section you probably love vintage airguns just because.  But I was reading in the General Airgun section about someone wanting recommendations for a good backyard rifle after his $100 Walmart special wasn’t proving too accurate.  So many people throw money down the drain buying new airguns that actually can never hold a candle to airguns made 30 years ago?  Also as I have found out this month if you change directions you can sell good vintage airguns for what you paid for them for more?  Sold too vintage airguns that no longer interested me made a profit on both.

[bantam5s]

You can also often save money on a good shooter if you go vintage, if you don't mind lots of " character " and maybe a little TLC anyways.

[shovelhead]

Plus you get that satisfied feeling of tweaking a worn campaigner back to life and making it yours.

[buellm2]

I'm still planning to get into air pistol competition at my fish and game club.   I use oddball powder burners from the 60s and 70s during summer outdoor matches.  I'd love to use an unusual, vintage air pistol and rifle for winter indoor matches.  Anybody have suggestions on what I could use that is reasonably priced?

[Bryan Heimann]

For sure I would hesitate to buy new again, unless I found a better deal that I could get used.  Same goes for firearms.  New depreciates too fast, used typically appreciates if you buy quality and take good care of it. 

[BrushPopper]

I'm still planning to get into air pistol competition at my fish and game club.   I use oddball powder burners from the 60s and 70s during summer outdoor matches.  I'd love to use an unusual, vintage air pistol and rifle for winter indoor matches.  Anybody have suggestions on what I could use that is reasonably priced?

Two older Crosman designs come to mind; the 160 and Mk-1 are both very accurate. With Co2 being used, fatigue is less of a factor than with pumpers

[eeler1]

Well, I can kinda relate to them.  I shot many as a youth, and others of similar vintage and similarly familiar.  Some of the new stuff, not so much. 

Even better if I can sell some of these vintage guns and make a profit.  I’ll relate to them as I pack them up for shipping.

[Rob112o]

I just like the feel of vintage airguns better. Especially with pumpers, I'd much rather have wood. I'm just not into the hollow plastic stocks.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Plus you get that satisfied feeling of tweaking a worn campaigner back to life and making it yours.

It's probably why most people don't go the vintage route, the are unwilling/unable to put the time and resources into repairing or improving them as opposed to something store bought you can just return no questions asked if it fails to meet your expectations.  It's a shame but such is the convenience of modern living, at the cost of the joy of pulling apart a weapon of iron and wood and giving it a new lease of life.

[Glasstomb]

I just like the feel of vintage pumpers better. Especially with pumpers, I'd much rather have wood. I'm just not into the hollow plastic stocks.

Rob -

Agreed. For me there's nothing like a vintage pumper or even the Co2's. Wood & Steel.  But I couldn't pass on a deal for a 1077. Came with 90 powerlets, 1250 carton of Crosman pointed, & extra mags $50. Woman had used it to chase coyotes from her chickens.  The thing proved accurate enough to warrant a cheap scope. Now if it only had the wood stock.

[45flint]

I understand getting a bargain and also satisfaction of restoring a rifle that was well used.  But maybe not a game for everybody but I try to find near mint examples of these early guns. The point being you will pay a premium but it is really money in the bank as these types of examples tend not to go down in value as there are relatively few of them. Your money comes back to you when and if you want to sell them.  More fun than a savings account.

[Glasstomb]

I understand getting a bargain and also satisfaction of restoring a rifle that was well used.  But maybe not a game for everybody but I try to find near mint examples of these early guns. The point being you will pay a premium but it is really money in the bank as these types of examples tend not to go down in value as there are relatively few of them. Your money comes back to you when and if you want to sell them.  More fun than a savings account.

 I too, get great satisfaction from getting an old one working again. Finding one in good condition is a bonus. And yes with savings rates where they are now a better return.

[Rob112o]

Quasar you can get wood stocks for the 1077. Forget the route, but they can be found/ordered.

[19Sheridan57]

  My very first Sheridan did not get a single repair til over 50 years old, & many 1000's of accurate shots , later. Buy a Twanger , shoot it 1000 times, to break it in & learn the hold it needs. Then, work on it to hopefully get it shooting as accurately as a 50 year old Sheridan ! Give up on it cause it won't, go do the same thing again, with another Twanger.

[Glasstomb]

Quasar you can get wood stocks for the 1077. Forget the route, but they can be found/ordered.

Rob -

Right after I bought the 1077 I searched for a wood stock. I found that Alliance Hobby has it but it was $79.99.

http://alliancehobby.com/woodstock.htm

[Bryan Heimann]

  My very first Sheridan did not get a single repair til over 50 years old, & many 1000's of accurate shots , later. Buy a Twanger , shoot it 1000 times, to break it in & learn the hold it needs. Then, work on it to hopefully get it shooting as accurately as a 50 year old Sheridan ! Give up on it cause it won't, go do the same thing again, with another Twanger.

You're shooting the wrong twangers!

[Yng@hrt]

^^^I guess hard core twanger folks will always be just that. Same goes for us Vintage pumper fans. Once you find something that works you stick with it & believe you me, Vintage pumpers can hang with just about any twanger.

[bantam5s]

  My very first Sheridan did not get a single repair til over 50 years old, & many 1000's of accurate shots , later. Buy a Twanger , shoot it 1000 times, to break it in & learn the hold it needs. Then, work on it to hopefully get it shooting as accurately as a 50 year old Sheridan ! Give up on it cause it won't, go do the same thing again, with another Twanger.

You're shooting the wrong twangers!

But there's generally no such thing as " the wrong pumper "  .

I'm mostly just a plinker though so for me it's really just about the variable power and smaller size,

[bantam5s]

^^^I guess hard core twanger folks will always be just that. Same goes for us Vintage pumper fans. Once you find something that works you stick with it & believe you me, Vintage pumpers can hang with just about any twanger.

I definitely understand sticking with what works.
As a kid I got used to the ability to stick to a quiet 3-5 pump shot or occasional loud 10 pump shot when I wanted to really destroy an old action figure or something.

I've got a couple break barrel springers that I try to like but they get old after 10min, the only springers I really enjoy shooting are my bb slingers.

[RBQChicken]

But there's generally no such thing as " the wrong pumper "  .

+1!