Budget Tinkering Platforms

[MittensKitten]

What are the best budget PCP's with good aftermarket support for modification and improvement?
 
I had a lot of fun working on the QB79 and I'd like to do similar projects with guns around the $100 dollar range. From what I gather, the QB is hard to come by anymore. The 78 is available on ebay but the tank blocks don't seem to be. If I'm wrong, let me know. The price doesn't have to be that low but if I'm buying a bottle to power it and additional parts, it would be nice to start low. My intuition is that I'd have to go up to around $200 and get a Stormrider, Gauntlet, or Chief. I would like to have a repeater for my next gun.


So which budget gun would you choose to tinker with?

[nervoustrigger]

All those are good choices and I don't think you're omitting any notable alternatives except perhaps the Benjamin Maximus or the Fortitude. 

As you probably know, the Gauntlet will be very much like your QB79.  The Chief is as well, so if you want to build on your experience and confidence, one of those would be a good choice. 

The Stormrider would be a good one if you are ready to try something a little different.  I don't own one but I have its CO2 brother which is virtually identical and I like it a lot.  Very lightweight but sturdy built entirely of metal and wood.  A trigger that lies somewhere between the QB variants and the Benjamins.  Great barrel unfortunately marred by damaged rifling at the muzzle that I had to chop and recrown.
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=143793

Then the Benjamin offerings...you won't find better customer support in the industry and parts are readily available and inexpensive.  It appears their barrel quality issues are a thing of the past, or at worst, no different than what you might encounter with a Stormrider.  The trigger is a distant 3rd (can be upgraded but a little pricey relative to the gun's price), and you can weigh your opinion about the synthetic stocks.

[RichH]

I think the refurb Hatsan Flash is a great platform. Plenty of power and a great trigger for right around $200. Nice mags and very lightweight.