I give up! A rant from a ticked off noob.

[lizzie]

Wow, thanks Dave!

[farrlarr]

Okay, we have all given Will403536 advice about what gun(s) he shoulda/coulda bought instead of what he did buy.  The question now is how is Will403536 doing with what he has?  How about it Will, was any of our advice helpful?  Have you returned both of your guns and run screaming into the night or have you vowed to master the evil springer?   

[ezman604]

Will, sorry for all the problems you are experiencing with your first venture into moden airgunning. Without seeing them, it sounds to me that you have several issues going on. First off, can we ask your age and size? Not to get personal but to understand a little better the gun and shooter situation here. I'm 57 years old, 5'10" and weigh in around 220. I'm a big ole' boy and have no problem with any break barrel or other type of airgun I've handled so far. It DOES make a difference with some folks and some airguns.
It does sound like you have gotten at least one dinged scope that probably should be returned to Wal-Mart for exchange. If they give you a hard time, you can always get it exchanged through Crosman. They have an excellent warranty and customer service second to none. The smoke still present after 150 or more shots indicates to me there is a main seal issue. This can also account for bad accuracy and even a harsh shooting cycle. THAT needs to be addressed by warranty exchange in my opinion. If there is in fact a main seal issue, no practice with holds and such will be fruitful. The cocking effort it is taking may be the sign of more internal issues, but this statement is without knowing your age and physical makeup.
Just don't get discouraged, these things DO happen. But they can be remedied. It may take some patience and a little time but it will work out. Again, sorry you have to deal with issues getting started but keep us informed. I'm sure you will get things in order and start enjoying the sport/hobby.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[Will403536]

Yeah thanks for the advice guys. I'm pretty set on an NP rifle as opposed to a PCP or multi-pump, and the Nitro Venom seemed perfect for that, comes with a weaver rail, etc.

Thus far I have returned both rifles to WalMart, and they are out of stock online (the .22 can not even be found on their site anymore, but it may show up again when it's back in stock). I prefer WalMart because of the return policy, but I want to avoid shipping dents again. Do other airgun retailers ship the rifle retail box in a larger box, styrofoam, how do they do it?

Yes I coulda LocTited the scope when I got it, but I believe that when you buy a brand new product, it should work properly without having to buy more "accessories" to make it so.

I honestly didn't think I'd have a physical problem with cocking, since I go to the gym regularly and am 20 years old. Most people can't even do a pull-up but I do them with dumbells for added weight. I think I figured out a way to cock it that's easy for me, but is not the way as shown in the instructions (cocking in a rowing motion, buttstock against hip-bone).

[Wee Hooker]

Get a blowgun??

Seriously, if the cocking effort is tireing ( and I'm guessing 150 rounds in one session would be,), I'd suggest a lower powered gun that is easy to cock. It will still kill pop cans just as good.

[Will403536]

To be honest I don't expect to regularly shoot 150 rounds in one session, I was just frustratedly trying to get past the break-in/dieseling on my second day of shooting it. Taking breaks to go do something else, etc. helps a lot. My biggest concern isn't the physical effort, but the time and energy that goes into unsuccessfully setting up consistent shots (scope mounting, dieseling, etc.).

[a1Bogey]

Airguns, and in particular springers , are a challenge just waiting to be unleashed on the unsuspecting.  They have so many things, on them, in them, that tracking them down can be a full time job. Not counting the human factor.   It took me months to master a BigCat.  And when I did it was a sence of satisfaction.  Most of the problems was me.  And as soon as I got the me figured out , things started to get better.


Bogey

[clip]

[Is cosmoline black and sticky like used motor oil? A couple of weeks ago, I picked up an old BSA scope from (probably) the 70's. It was covered with some kind of black thick sticky stuff that I had to use rubbing alcohol to remove. I couldn't figure out what it was, but was just guessing it was there to protect the scope's surface in some manner.
[/quote]
  
  Lizzie..As Dave said, it was most likely the rubberized coating on the scope. BSA used to put such a coating on their scopes calling it "Armorized" or some such name. I assume they thought it made the product sound strong. I bought one or two of the BSAs and the ads said the scopes "might" have that type coating if they were still available. So far, mine have not started dissolving as yet.

 P.S.  be happy it is NOT Cosmoline!   LOL

[chanman84]

get a pcp

[RedFeather]

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em.  A thin wisp of smoke in the breech is pretty normal.  It doesn't necessarily mean the gun is dieseling, just combusting, something that magnum springers do.  When the piston forces the air down into a tiny space, all of the latent heat is concentrated and the temperature spikes (maybe 800 degrees F?), cooking off any fumes present in the mix.  Gives the gun a boost, so to speak, and that's how they are designed.  Don't go helping it, though, by adding oil, etc.  That WILL diesel.

You should get a variety of pellets for your new gun(s).  Each gun is temperamental about the ammo it prefers.  Worse that a .22lr, in fact.  Two guns exactly the same will quite often shoot differently.  And the scope slipping is nothing to do with the product's performance.  Springers are moving a heavy piston which stops abruptly and then rebounds.  This subjects scopes to recoil found on true magnum centerfires.  

[NickB79]

I have a question about your cocking method.  Were you putting consistent pressure on the barrel until it finally opened up and cocked, or did you give it a swift slap on the end to unlock it before cocking it?  With these guns, you need to do the latter.  I was making that mistake at first too, and man I felt like I was gonna bend the barrel!

Loctite is like $5 or less for a tube, and will last you a lifetime.  It's a good investment anyway to loctite your rifle stock screws so nothing shakes loose over time.

The dented scope should have been returned to Walmart, they would accept it and replace it without hassle.  As for the scope not tracking exactly as the number of clicks would indicate, this is common in cheaper scopes.  It also shouldn't matter much.  Just deal with it until your gun is on zeroed in, and then never touch the knobs again; you shouldn't be messing with your turrets in the field anyway.  This is where a scope with mildots really comes in handy.

If all you want to do is shoot targets and birds in your backyard with a lightweight gun, maybe try a Daisy 880.  I wore out 3 of those as a kid, and must have shot tens of thousands of pellets and BB's through each one around the farm.

[Will403536]

I was indeed giving it a slap. After many shots, my palm would get numb and red from all the slapping.

I am interested in an easier alternative, such as a CO2 powered Crosman 1077 Repeat Air, but those are .177 and only 625 FPS, not to mention I've read lots of reviews saying these CO2 rifles are highly inconsistent in both power and POI due to temperature variation with consecutive shots cooling the CO2 whippet.

PCP guns are way out of my price range.

[DawnZero]

Im 22, 6 foot and weigh about 165, i use the np trail aw with no problems, after i shot about 500 rounds threw it, it did become easier to cock. Maybe break barrel isnt the way to go, try a co2 pistol if you are having that much trouble. I have the crosman. 357, for shooting cans in the backyard works great and u can mount a scope if you like. Ive shot at most 400 rounds in one session with my np trail, and never suffered from the hurt hands and legs.........but thats just me.

[Rocker1]

Everyone should have to clean off the cosmoline off of a m14 once in there life, then get it to pass inspection. David

[LAalex]

I agree with you Air Hunter about follow through.  If my groups start to open up I really try to concentrate on the follow through and things usually tighten right up.

Scotty

[RedFeather]

Skip the 1077.  I hear the triggers are pretty bad.  Consider that they also rotate the magazine.  If you want a decent CO2 gun, single shots like the Crosman 2260 will serve you much better.  And the triggers can be worked on, too.

I have one or two guns that need to be slapped open and it is a chore (rhymes with sore).

[demarisl]

Will403536,

 Where are you located?  Maybe someone knowledgeable in your area could take you under their wing.

Larry

[MustangMike]

Don't focus on the fps so much, I had a gamo recon which is a 177 525fps and that was a ton of fun just shooting a can or shooting at a target.. every now and again a crow would land inside of 15yrds and it had no problem dropping it with a proper head shot...

[Wampus]

.

[Bryan Heimann]

I was indeed giving it a slap. After many shots, my palm would get numb and red from all the slapping.

I am interested in an easier alternative, such as a CO2 powered Crosman 1077 Repeat Air, but those are .177 and only 625 FPS, not to mention I've read lots of reviews saying these CO2 rifles are highly inconsistent in both power and POI due to temperature variation with consecutive shots cooling the CO2 whippet.

PCP guns are way out of my price range.

When I got started, I said the same thing about PCP's.  Right now I'm saving for one!  Maybe you should just go get a pumper, like a Crosman 2100 Classic/Remington Airmaster 77.  Better yet, a Daisy 22SG.  Despite it's plastic stock and forearm, I think the 2100 is built better and is more reliable- but a 22SG is easier to pump.  Almost too easy! If you go by the velocity on the box then the 22SG makes more muzzle energy, but chrony results I've seen online tell me the 2100 is  the most powerful of the two.  A step up from these would be a Benji 392/397 and they can both be had for a little less than the venoms. Less power than the venom but far easier to shoot, and more power than the two  aforementioned pumpers. But to scope the benji's you've got to invest in intermounts.