Most problem free PCP?

[Dbez1]

A recent thread here on GTA discussed the QC of a very high end PCP manufacturer and there were members on each side of the fence. Since I have had no ponies in that game, I couldn’t contribute anything to the discussion but it did make me think about QC in the industry. My question to you is IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, what airguns are the most trouble free and reliable OUT OF THE BOX. This should not include guns that you have modified. This information should be especially helpful to those considering joining the sport.

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

I believe what you are looking for is called a Unicorn!  LOL!  I don't think one actually exists!  There are lots of high end air guns out there and for as many as there are, you can also find folks who have some sort of complaint about them.  I only own two of what I consider high ends air guns, and there are probably plenty of folks who will argue they are middle of the road air guns, because there certainly are some with price tags 2X to 3X more than what I paid.  But, on my budget, they are high end to me...  Of the 2, Evanix Air Speed and FX Dreamline, the FX has been the most trouble free air gun I own, and the Evanix has been the most troublesome air gun I own!  I know others have had some problems with their FX air rifles, and others have had really good luck with their Evanix air rifles.  But for me, I would definitely recommend the FX Dreamline just based on my own experience.  I'm sure there are other air guns far superior, but I may never know because they are just too far out of reach for me!

[USAFANG6799]

I'm surprised not to see more votes for the Benjamin Marauder. My Gen II is going past 3 years now and the only issue I've had was replacing the fill probe. If memory serves me correctly that happened within the 1 year warranty time so they sent me one for free.
Holds on to the air after a fill for months on end.
It sill like the same H&N 21 grain pellet with unwavering accuracy at 45 yards. The Hawk Air Max scope rarely needs adjusting.
I seriously contemplated going with the JSAR lighter tube and a few other mods but talked myself out of it for fear of breaking the good luck spell it has.
No other PCP, Chief, DISCO or Liberty has been this trouble free. The Liberty is running a close second, then DISCO and the Chief is the worse.

[Dairyboy]

Taipans are rock solid guns plain and simple. The only issues you'll ever find on them are cocking in the rear and not "pretty".

The Mrod is also a pretty solid platform. Alittle adjustments here and there for tuning and such and there usually good to go for a very long time.

My WAR guns were also bulletproof.

[avator]

I pulled my $220 GAMO Urban out of the box, installed a CDT trigger (because I had one on hand) and have shot it issue free ever since.
Fill, load mags, shoot and repeat.

[grand-galop]

I can be mistaken on the subject, but I think the specialized vendor are the way to go talking about trouble free..

They have more RESTRICTED and vigorous QC than the generally off the shelf product..

[triggertreat]

The more whistle and bells, the more that can go wrong.


From experience, the Marauders are rock solid.  When they do break it's more so the O-rings drying out, which takes years and there are only five on the HPA side.  The Marauder O-rings are super cheap and simple to replace.  It would be hard to beat the Marauders on reliability and ease of repairs.

[Motorhead]

ALL will suffer o-ring fatigue and failures .... nature of being subjected to VERY high pressures.

That said, Greater the number of o-rings in the pneumatic system, GREATER is the chance for failure between services.

Not going to get into the naming game ... just leaving a tidbit of factual reality.

[avator]

ALL will suffer o-ring fatigue and failures .... nature of being subjected to VERY high pressures.

That said, fewer the o-rings in the pneumatic system, better are the chances of losing one in between routine reseals.

Not going to get into the naming game ... just leaving a tidbit of factual reality.

Agreed, probably why so many of yesteryear's pumpers are still in service.

[K.O.]

well 5 years in and zero probs with my oldest... a .25 Mrod... have two no probs with the other... .177 Buc is next oldest about 4 years old now zero probs... same with new .22 Buc and Gamo Urban...

Just got a .22 AT long eats fill probe o-rings... The .22 Max well it was a Wally World clearance( prob a return)... it needed work and started leaking about 5 months in...

[avator]

Definitely not a matter of 'you get what you pay for'. This old adage has absolutely been shot down in the air gun world.

[Nomadic Pirate]

Don't have any but from what I hear sounds like Eastern European guns are built like tanks.

I have a bunch of EVANIX Rainstorms some going back to 2012, used them hard but had Zero problems with that platform, not the most sophisticated airgun out there but definitely rugged and durable, great for a mid 600 bucks price range indeed.

[Gear_Junkie]

I'm going to throw out the Daystate Regal XL.  This rifle appears to have a very high build quality, coupled with simplicity (even I can work on it  ).  I haven't had mine that long, but I haven't had any issues with it so far.  It's maintained the POI and has always worked when called upon. 

[Tommyzgunz]

ALL will suffer o-ring fatigue and failures .... nature of being subjected to VERY high pressures.

That said, fewer the o-rings in the pneumatic system, better are the chances of losing one in between routine reseals.

Not going to get into the naming game ... just leaving a tidbit of factual reality.

Agreed, probably why so many of yesteryear's pumpers are still in service.

 

[Sfttailrdr46]

I have my Air Arms .177 S510 about 5 years and it was a Pyramyd Air refurbished PCP I also have an Evanix RS II in .22 neither has had any issues with either accuracy, performance or leaks. My BSA MK II was also trouble free for the 2 1/2 years that I owned it. I think that most PCP AG's manufactured today are relatively trouble free but there are always going to be the stinkers that ship no matter the price

[Tommyzgunz]

I pulled my $220 GAMO Urban out of the box, installed a CDT trigger (because I had one on hand) and have shot it issue free ever since.
Fill, load mags, shoot and repeat.

Bill does your urban have the barrel band still on as original or have you loosened or removed it. That seems to be the only  complaint i see often.
mine's still on

[avator]

I pulled my $220 GAMO Urban out of the box, installed a CDT trigger (because I had one on hand) and have shot it issue free ever since.
Fill, load mags, shoot and repeat.

Bill does your urban have the barrel band still on as original or have you loosened or removed it. That seems to be the only  complaint i see often.
mine's still on

Yessir.... completely stock aside from the trigger. I've never even touched the power adjustment.

[Tommyzgunz]

I pulled my $220 GAMO Urban out of the box, installed a CDT trigger (because I had one on hand) and have shot it issue free ever since.
Fill, load mags, shoot and repeat.

Bill does your urban have the barrel band still on as original or have you loosened or removed it. That seems to be the only  complaint i see often.
mine's still on

Yessir.... completely stock aside from the trigger. I've never even touched the power adjustment.

Awesome. Shot mine a little today when the neighbors weren't around lol.Since it's favorite to this point was JSB 15.89's I tried the Hades and they grouped very nicely at 25 yards. I have to try further when I'm not in the backyard. Took out an aspirin at 25 on the first shot sfter sighting in those pellets too so it's shooting well enough for head shots with those hades pellets.

[n2omike]

If you don't want to buy/sell airgun after airgun...  and just want ONE to last a while...  It's hard to beat a proven, reliable and COMMON platform that has already been scienced out, with all sorts of replacement/repair parts available.  The gun that fits this mold the best is arguably the Benjamin Marauder.  Parts are cheap, plentiful...  and since the guns are so common, there's a very good chance there will be repair support for them for YEARS to come. 

If you buy some foreign specialty gun...   good luck.  Repair and replacement parts could be a challenge in coming years.

For hunting, it's really hard to beat a .25 Marauder.  A completely stock gun with a tiny bit of tuning can shoot 3 mags (24 shots) at 800 fps...  which is plenty for about any small game out to around 50 yards. 

As for PCP's in general...  There are a lot of parts in one.  If you're used to Powder Burners...  especially a bolt action...  these are a whole nother level!  A lot more finicky, as there's a lot more going on inside.

Good Luck!

[RDB]

I'm going to throw out the Daystate Regal XL.  This rifle appears to have a very high build quality, coupled with simplicity (even I can work on it  ).  I haven't had mine that long, but I haven't had any issues with it so far.  It's maintained the POI and has always worked when called upon.

Another vote for the Huntsman. 4 years and just sets in the corner and needle never moves on the air gage. Always hits where you aim after sitting for months.

My wildcat seemed a little on the dainty side for me. Just didn't seem as sturdy as built. But, i will pick me up a Royal one day. The ones ive handled seemed sturdy and well built.