Marauder vs. Sumatra: What are the pros & cons?

[Smaug]

I had pretty much decided on a Marauder in .177, but then I was flipping through the Pyramyd Air catalog and see that they're priced the same as the Sumatras.

Sumatras are pretty highly regarded here, unless I'm mis-reading.

It seems like, just from the straight stock and lever action that maybe the Sumatra would be a better hunter and the Marauder would be the better benchrest gun. I also recall reading somewhere that the smoothness of the Sumatra isn't top notch. But I've also read that the finish on the Marauder stock isn't that great either.

I think Sumatras are higher powered and have bigger tanks too. (bigger tank is more of a con for someone who will be hand-pumping, like me.)

What else?

[sawtoothscream]

m rod is extremely quiet were i believe the sumatra will need a after market shroud if you want it to be quiet.

sumatra should have more power then the m rod.   the m rod trigger is amazing, really adjustable and crisp

i havnt shot a sumatra but they are suppose to be really accurate power hunting guns

[Tpatner412]

The Sumatra is a fun gun but very noisy. I shot one that was tuned up quite a bit and they hit really hard. The lever action can be tough but you get
Used to it quickly. I think the Mrod is perfect for most people because they do not need the power that the Sumatra spits out. Just my thoughts. I think in capable hands they can both be very very deadly

[Pursang]

I see Sumatra's listed on Pyramyd for $90 more than Marauders.

I have a Career, similar to a Sumatra, and previously owned a Sumatra Carbine. While the Sumatra is more powerful than the Marauder, the Sumatra tends to lose power with each shot. If you start out at full power, you'll only get 8-10 shots before the power drops off enough to change POI. What most owners do is start off at a lower power setting( still stronger than Marauder), and shoot 6-10 shots, and turn it up one notch, shoot 6-10 more, turn it up another notch, and continue doing that until power drops below that level when turned to high. It's possiblt to get ~40 shots at 40fpe by using this method. It's kind of a pain though, and you'll probably need to use a chrony to get it figured out.

The Sumatra is very accurate, as are most Marauders.

Parts and service are a phone call away with the Marauder. Crosman=Best customer service in industry.

Sumatra is very loud, even turned down.

I think the Marauder is a more refined, higher quality item. The Sumatra isn't bad, just not as nice , fit and finish wise. I hate the "wildlife scene" on the Sumatra, reminds me of toy guns.

I don't like the stock on either. You are right about the Marauder being a better benchrest gun, but for me it is due to having to pick up the Sumatra to cycle the action. You can work the Marauder bolt while shouldered.

Trigger on the Korean is rough, but I can still shoot groups with mine.

Hand pumping a full sized Sumatra will not so good. BTDT! Hand pumping a Marauder will not so good less

[Smaug]

Thanks fellas. Sounds like the Marauder's the right way to go for me.

What most owners do is start off at a lower power setting( still stronger than Marauder), and shoot 6-10 shots, and turn it up one notch, shoot 6-10 more, turn it up another notch, and continue doing that until power drops below that level when turned to high.

I take it this means the power level on the Sumatra can be adjusted on the fly. That's a nice feature!

[Nomadic Pirate]

Applications, applications, applications.

in .177 seems the Sumatra is a bit waisted, those guns are made for serious damage

in .25 I had the Maurader and overall the Sumatra for me does much better.

Smaller calibers I think the lower powered American PCP is probably the best bet, use the extra money to get a decent stock for it

[Pursang]

NP is correct on the applications. If I was shooting small-medium pigs with an airgun, it would be a Korean. Almost nothing matches the power, and very few can match the accuracy, for any price.

I don't need the power, but I'll probably keep mine until I get one that can match the accuracy.

The adjustable power "on the fly" is nice, but isn't as useful as I would have thought. The only gun I ever change the power on is my S200. I change it from 600fps(indoor) to 800fps(outdoor).That can be accomplished with an Allen wrench in 10 seconds.

[Twohsieh]

Just for kicks,  i once shot a dove with my sumatra at full power using eunjin 34.5 gr .25 pellets.  There really wasnt anything left except for a pile of feathers.  All around target, some hunting go with marauder.  Mostly hunting, some target (with no neighbors). -----sumatra.