Crosman Optimus and Vantage

[birdmove]

    So, the Crosman Optimus is still seems to be spring powered only, while the Vantages are nitro piston. I'm wondering if Crosman is still making new Optimus models, or are they selling out existing stock? Are the two airguns the same other than the powerplants?

    Kenny Kormandy reviewed the Vantage NP and really liked that air rifle. I don't "need" another .177 break barrel, but wouldn't mind one in .22 caliber. The Vantage would be in contention for the .22 break barrel spot in my collection. Also the Benjamin Prowler, which I might add, Kenny liked a lot.

    Will Crosman switch the Optimus over to NP, or will they maybe drop that model due to the similarities with the Vantage?

   Just kind of thinking out loud here.

    Are NP2 owners having any problems with the plastic shrouds? I've read where a few have broken that sleeve.

[Roadworthy]

I have no insight into what Crosman may do.  Their NP break barrel line is based on the Chinese B18 and B19 which is why so many parts interchange.  Their basic break barrel spring guns can be traced there as well.  Look at the parts breakdown for your guns in question and you'll see what I mean.  The newer NP2 is a similar but somewhat different platform, as are the SSP models.  That is why it is generally pretty simple to convert one of their spring break barrels to a Nitro Piston or vice versa.

[unionrdr]

The Optimus comes in .22 caliber as well,. I bought the .22 for my youngest son and the .177 for my older brother just this past Christmas. Both are accurate with good power on par with the Hatsan Striker, edge, etc. Got a nice streak of heartwood through the stock on the Optimus I bought my son for his 18th birthday.
  Ron's .177 Optimus with Simmons 4x32 scope;

  My son Matt with his .22 version;

  Cloeup showing grain detail;

[birdmove]

    Nice looking air rifle!  I'd get the .22.

[wll2506]

Bought my Crosman Optimus a couple of years ago, camo'd it out, set it up with a butt pouch storing pellets and other essentials for the gun and have it as a truck gun. Enough power for pest at short ranges shooting JSB Jumbos (15.89gr) at about 640 fps giving me over 11fpe at 30 yds and close to 11fpe at 40 yds ..... enough to put food on the table for sure !



wll

[unionrdr]

I don't think I've ever seen the synthetic version? I bought my brother the .177 since I already had a goody bag put together for the 760-D I was going to give him. So that choice was obvious. Besides the optimus being about 2.5 times as powerful.

[SteveP-52]

I don't think I've ever seen the synthetic version? I bought my brother the .177 since I already had a goody bag put together for the 760-D I was going to give him. So that choice was obvious. Besides the optimus being about 2.5 times as powerful.

You haven't seen one because they don't have a synthetic version...lol. My guess is he painted the wood stock to black it out as trying to refinish whatever Chinese mystery wood Crosman uses for their wood stocks can be done but it's a major pain.
I know because I traded for a Titan stock to put my .177 Optimus in and spent a couple weeks working on it to finally get the finished look I wanted.

[wll2506]

If you guys are talking about my picture ... that is a wood stock that is spray painted dark green, black and brown. The gun shoots well. I painted it as it is a bang around truck gun and I knew it would get beat up, so I just camo'd it.

I bought it on a super sale and paid very little for it, but it is a nice gun. Very quiet yet has enough power for small game at reasonable ranges (30-40yds) At the time of this photo (2+ years ago) I kept iron sights on her as I wanted this gun to be down and dirty, no frills and as few things to break as possible. I may have changed the scope thing as i remember, need to check through my airgun stuff ;- )

wll

[unionrdr]

Been needin' new glasses since last year. Don't see well in low light sometimes. But they are accurate rifles worth what you pay for them and more. I've been tempted to get the Optimus .22 for myself. Still can't find the GuideHawk NP .22 they claim they made? I also rather like that classic .22lr look they have.

[SteveP-52]

Except for the shrouded barrel and sling swivel studs, the GuideHawk and their Nitro Venom with wood stock would appear to be and likely are the same rifle.

https://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/break-barrel-air-rifles/nitro-venom-rifle-22

[unionrdr]

I and others always thought it was a renamed Genesis?
  GuideHawk NP .177;

  Genesis NP;
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/genesis-np-1

[SteveP-52]

Took me a couple minutes but in order, the GuideHawk, Genesis and Nitro Venom...not much difference other than minor cosmetics and those are barrel configuration and sling swivel studs.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Jon

I have a Crosman Vantage Np 1 rifle and a Crosman Summit Ranger Np 2 rifle.  I do not know anything about the Crosman Optimus rifle, as I do not have one. The Optimus looks to be the spring powered version of the Vantage to me. The Vantage that I have is 117cal and is one of their 1st year production models of that rifle. I have had it 8 years now... since around 2011 and it has been a very good hunting rifle.  It has fired thousands of shots thru it and it is still shooting strong. When I first got the Vantage, I put a longer trigger screw in it to improve the long trigger pull. I don't know if Crosman has addressed the trigger issues with that gun in the subsequent following years.  The Crosman Summit Ranger that I own is about 1 year old and is a 22cal.  It does not have a barrel shroud or barrel silencing device so I do not having any pellet clipping problems with it. The barrel has a small vented muzzle brake that can be removed to reveal a threaded barrel in 1/2 inch fine thread. A moderator or air stripper can easily be added to the Summit Ranger.  The Np2 Summit Ranger has more power than the Vantage and fits somewhere between the Vantage and my Benjamin Trail NP XL 22cal Magnum rifle.   Both the Vantage and the Summit Ranger are accurate out to 35 yards for hunting purposes.  The Summit Ranger is my best all round hunting rifle and has a clean break trigger that is a big improvement over the stock trigger that came in the Vantage.  I have shot dime size groups at 25 yards with the Summit Ranger and quarter sized groups at 25 yards with the Vantage.   I hope this is of some help to you sir.



Best Wishes - Tom

Edit :

Pictured below are my 3 Crosman Rifles.  The 117cal Crosman Vantage (that is in a Titan Stock), my 22cal Summit Ranger and my 22cal Benjamin Trail Np XL Magnum.  All three make very good small game hunting rifles and I use them extensively, out in the back woods, here in Minnesota. They all have held up to the harsh hunting conditions and extreme cold weather, that we have here in Minnesota. 
Click the pictures to enlarge the image if you wish.

[birdmove]

    Nice selection. That Summit Ranger sounds great.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

    Nice selection. That Summit Ranger sounds great.

Jon

Pyramid Air still has the Summit Ranger for sale. They come un-scoped. The price is $129.95.    They have both 177 caliber and 22 caliber Summit Rangers if you are interested in one. 

Cabelas has a scoped 117cal Summit ranger on sale too.

Pyramid Air has a First Class service and return policy if there are any unforeseen problems with the products that they sell.
I have bought guns & products from them without ever having a problem with Pyramid Air.


Best Wishes - Tom

Here is the link at PA for the un-scoped Summit Ranger $129.95 + shipping >https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj7_6mNl9rgAhXJ7YMKHcP3BqYQFjAAegQIAhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FCrosman_Summit_Ranger_NP2_Air_Rifle%2F4321&usg=AOvVaw1L6qOPHs44YdNI4_gu-pQe


Here is the link for Cabelas 117cal scoped Summit Ranger. $129.97>https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjPu92lmNrgAhUl9IMKHdZtCV8QFjAAegQICBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fproduct%2FCrosman-Summit-Ranger-NP-Air-Rifle%2F2948810.uts&usg=AOvVaw332ysnaY54UWHfXAZZTCgk


Here is a link for the Crosman Vantage in 22 caliber at Pyramid Air. It sells as an un-scoped rifle for $99.95. > https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjmnefamdrgAhUIw4MKHRg_BIwQFjANegQIABAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pyramydair.com%2Fs%2Fm%2FCrosman_Vantage_Nitro_Piston_Air_Rifle%2F3233&usg=AOvVaw3BkTTBm_9joknTYl7wG0jv

Here is a link for the un-scoped 22cal Crosman Vantage rifle at Amazon. It sells for $100.90 with free shipping > https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjDmPvNm9rgAhVJ1oMKHfCFB0gQFjABegQIDBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCrosman-CVAN82W-Vantage-Caliber-Barrel%2Fdp%2FB00RXSA4L2&usg=AOvVaw1NwXNwQwm3K7QE54JMLNFz