How does a Webley Vulcan stack up against some of the newer airguns?

[abqjoe]

My apologies if this question has been asked before. I'm new to airguns and was originally looking at airguns in the 300 dollar range like the Gamo Swarm Magnum and the Benjamin XL. After reading numerous mixed reviews I was left unsure. I contacted one of my old firearms buddies and he said that he had an old Webley Vulcan that he purchased 30 + years ago that he'd sell me for 100 bucks. Said he didn't use it much so I bought it, I think it's an MKII. My question is, how does this old Webley Vulcan stack up against the other rifles that I was looking at in terms of reliability and accuracy?  Thanks for looking!

[BrushPopper]

Ur Vulcan is a solid, 12 fpe airgun (from an era when this was considered “magnum” power).

I have a C-1, which shares the same powerplant, and killed a truckload of small-game with it.

$100 is a good deal, ARH carries replacement mainsprings etc. if it needs some help.

Bought my C-1 (.22) back in ‘84, and it still clocks Hobbies @ 660

[abqjoe]

Ur Vulcan is a solid, 12 fpe airgun (from an era when this was considered “magnum” power).

I have a C-1, which shares the same powerplant, and killed a truckload of small-game with it.

$100 is a good deal, ARH carries replacement mainsprings etc. if it needs some help.

Bought my C-1 (.22) back in ‘84, and it still clocks Hobbies @ 660

Thank you for the response my friend!

[larspawn]

I’d say that’s a pretty good deal. If you don’t want it I’d take it for $100! 

[DanD]

Hi, Joe.  You got a good deal on the Vulcan.
I bought one out of curiosity and liked it so much that I bought another. They're good guns with good barrels that handle well and shoot well.
The Vulcan is a midsized rifle and is much shorter than the Gamo Magnum or Benjamin XL. The heavy hitting XL and Magnum might be preferable for taking bigger critters like woodchucks or raccoons, but I'd prefer a Vulcan in the squrrel woods or for pleasure shooting in the back yard.
Have fun!

[45flint]

I also have a C-1 which is really the same gun with a unique stock.  Great guns period, paid $150 for mine.

[abqjoe]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I did a little bit of back yard shooting with it yesterday and I gotta say, it's pretty darn accurate. I was only shooting 15 yards with the open sights but it was consistently holding a group the size of a quarter:-) I did order a UTG 4-16x44 AO SWAT AccuShot Rifle Scope for it though. Ring question for that scope; would a medium profile set clear the open sights?

[MDriskill]

The Vulcan and related designs have their faults - a heavy single-stage trigger and lack of breech tension adjustment being the most frequently mentioned - but IMHO they are great sporting air rifles.

They are ridiculously sturdy, have a very efficient piston seal and under-stressed long-lasting mainspring giving very quick shot time, usually have really good barrels, use an interesting breech design that is very tolerant of different ammo, and the workmanship, especially the metal polish and blueing is world-class.

I always thought they were underrated in their day, and still do! A decent one for a hundred bucks is pretty close to legal theft, LOL.

Remembering it’s a sporter and not a match rifle - I even came to like the trigger after it broke in.

[abqjoe]

The Vulcan and related designs have their faults - a heavy single-stage trigger and lack of breech tension adjustment being the most frequently mentioned - but IMHO they are great sporting air rifles.

They are ridiculously sturdy, have a very efficient piston seal and under-stressed long-lasting mainspring giving very quick shot time, usually have really good barrels, use an interesting breech design that is very tolerant of different ammo, and the workmanship, especially the metal polish and blueing is world-class.

I always thought they were underrated in their day, and still do! A decent one for a hundred bucks is pretty close to legal theft, LOL.

Remembering it’s a sporter and not a match rifle - I even came to like the trigger after it broke in.

Thank you, I sure am enjoying it:-) I'd post a picture but it's telling me that all my pics are to large...

[BrushPopper]

I use a free app called “Image Size”

Prolly not the best, but it does work

[ped]

I had an early one and it is a gun I regretted selling one thing I found with it was you needed a good arrestor block and had to use a good scope or it would kill it in short order
for $100 you have a good deal I think

[Pelletjunkie]

I bought a Vulcan in 1983. I was 15yrs old and had no money left for a springer scope and mount. They were big money back then. No Chinese stuff in those days. It ate 2 Weaver rifle scopes over the years until I got out of the military in 1991. When I got home I started shooting it again and invested in a one piece mount and a good springer scope. I put a new spring in it in the mid 1990’s. Mine likes every pellet you put in it. My dad borrowed it off me to take care of pest problems in his neighborhood. He fell in love with it so much that he traded me a Remington 6mm for it. It’s a way better gun than those box store plastic cannons. Enjoy it.

[Lone Star]

I have an early one and love it. Take the trigger spring out and  cut 2 coils off. Should be right nice after that.

[abqjoe]

I had an early one and it is a gun I regretted selling one thing I found with it was you needed a good arrestor block and had to use a good scope or it would kill it in short order
for $100 you have a good deal I think

Thanks for the advice! I purchased a UTG AccuShot and I'm hoping that it will hold up. I'm just waiting on my rings to come in so I can mount it and dial it in.

[abqjoe]

Lone Star, thanks for the advice, I think i'll try that out this weekend:-)

[abqjoe]

I bought a Vulcan in 1983. I was 15yrs old and had no money left for a springer scope and mount. They were big money back then. No Chinese stuff in those days. It ate 2 Weaver rifle scopes over the years until I got out of the military in 1991. When I got home I started shooting it again and invested in a one piece mount and a good springer scope. I put a new spring in it in the mid 1990’s. Mine likes every pellet you put in it. My dad borrowed it off me to take care of pest problems in his neighborhood. He fell in love with it so much that he traded me a Remington 6mm for it. It’s a way better gun than those box store plastic cannons. Enjoy it.

Thanks for the response! When I first held it I kinda liked how heavy it was and how all of the metal looked machined and not cast. It just seemed like a good quality build so I took a chance on it instead of buying a new plastic Air Rifle and so far I really like it.

[abqjoe]

Got my UTG scope mounted, removed two coils from the trigger spring and did some polishing and deburring in the trigger. Runs pretty good now:-) Thank you everyone for the replies and advice...