looking to buy a quiet air rilfe for yard use 10-20 yards

[momosgarage]

I have been looking to buy an air rifle for yard target practice.  I haven't shot anything in years and are looking to try my hand at airgun hunting in the long term to supplement bow hunting.  As it stands, I don't want to drive 30 minutes "to and from" the local outdoor range everyday just to shoot for 45 minutes, but I also don't live in a neighborhood where people will understand or be familiar with airguns.  PCPs and air handguns are out of the question, I played paintball many moons ago and are not going to pay for that kind of equipment upkeep, so that leaves springers, gas pistons and pumps.  Remember "quiet" is my number one priority.  I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Gas Piston: Crosman Titan Nitro Piston - Lower Velocity
                https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-titan-gp-nitro-piston-lower-velocity?m=2291

                Remington NPSS

Springer: Stoeger x20s
             Beeman Guardian/s550

Pump: Daisy 953

I understand that the Beeman and the Daisy are in a totally different class than the remington and crossman, but as I said "quiet" is the number one priority.  It would be nice if I could hunt with the same rifle and have it be quiet, but I will buy two rifles if needed.

Also, I have considered buying the Stoeger x20s and immediately getting the main spring replaced by a better one along with a tune; OR just replacing the spring all together with a gas piston.  If that will make it the quietest of the bunch I will pay whatever it costs.  I want to stay under $350 on the rifle and then put what other money I have into the tune.  Any other suggestions for the QUIETEST springer, pump or gas piston?  Any ideas on the above.  BTW everyone says the Benjamin pumps are quiet, I disagree and had them also many moons ago.  RWS guns and most Beemans are out of my budget.

[Bullit]

WELCOME!!!  I think you are on the right track with the 953.
If you want better accuracy, you may do better with a single shot loaded pump air rifle.  But More shots is fun, so I can sure understand that!  You are in the right velocity range for low noise.  You might also wanna check out the 10meter target guns, like the Daisy "Avanti" series;  as they are lower velocity, and built for accuracy.  In a springer, you may wanna check out also the Beeman R7.
Again,  Welcome!,  and Best to Luck To You.

[momosgarage]

I like the Beeman R7, but $389 plus tax, plus tune, puts the complete package into a range I am not willing to spend.  I know its a high quality rifle and is worth the money, but the total amount needed to get it going is turning me off. Same goes for the Avanti rifles.

[SAADE]

Have you ruled-out co2 guns? If not, the QB-78 / AR2078 rifles are great guns and the price is way inside your budget. With an LDC (noise suppressor) all you will hear is the hammer spring and "phfftt" out of the muzzle.

[longislandhunter]

I'd say get the R7, they are awesome rifles and perfect for the backyard shooter.  You don't have to have an R7 tuned right away, they are high quality rifles and shoot great right from the box.  Just take it out of the box, clean the barrel with some Goo-Gone, install your scope and shoot until your hears is content.  You can always get it tuned later if you feel you must but then again you may not even feel the need.  Get the R7... you won't be sorry..   Just my opinion.

Jeff

[dk1677]

Welcome to the GTA! Check the classifieds too you can get some great deals, and  A Disco with a LDC is very good , ( very easy to pump)

[Bullit]

You can buy an Avanti 853 from Pyramid Air for $280.00 (free shipping on orders over $100.00)
Here's the Link to the one I am referring to:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/daisy-match-grade-avanti-853?m=145

They also have the Beeman R7 for $360.00 (same free shipping)
Here's the Link to it:
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-r7-air-rifle?m=1899

Like Longislandhunter posts, you don't have to do anything to these rifles but maybe clean the barrel and start having some fun

[OldiesButGoodies]

Here is a nice pumper:

http://www.mountainaircustomairguns.com/model_1.htm

you can add a longer barrel for more power, take away the custom wooden grips, add a crosman shoulder stock:

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-1399-custom-shoulder-stock-fits-many-crosman-pistols?a=198

they also have a lot of different shrouds and muzzle brakes at the Mountain Air website to make it quieter.

[dnullify]

I've read the x20 is a good rifle.

Might consider a Benjamin trail NP with an aftermarket trigger blade.
Either that or the crosman titan, or NPSS.
A tuned MM b26 is also good, or a used R7/R9.

From what i understand pumpers can be loud, and i know that some springers are too.

[RedFeather]

Well, you sort of can't have it both ways.  Th 953, which is pretty quiet for a single stroke pneumatic (SSP) is a great gun, especially after a Pilkington trigger mod, BUT it won't do if you intend to hunt anything bigger than birds at close range.  Just not a power house as it was based on the 853/753 guns shooting in the 500's where target rifles are supposed to.  The Stoeger and Remington will make some noise.  Most of my magnum springers sound like staple guns.  CO2's, unless they come moderated, can be even louder.  ("Lead Dust Collectors" are in the "you pays your money, you takes your chances" category, being Federally regulated suppressors.)  If you don't mind a longish target session and the extra effort, something like a Benjamin Sheridan Blue Streak (especially an older, "real" Blue Streak) can work very well.  Two or three pumps is very quiet.  Eight pumps and you are making a fair bit of noise, but that's OK for hunting in woods.  Just isn't a fast shooter (as in you have to pump it back up each time).  For short range targets, the two-three pumps isn't too bad.  And, seriously, how many follow up shots do most hunters really get?  The Sheridans can be scoped in the Scout fashion and I have an older Streak with the old two-piece scope base that works fine scoped in normal fashion.  The later Streaks can also wear a Williams peep sight that doesn't cost much and greatly improves the gun.  Charlie used to make a new sear for these but no longer offers them.  I think someone named Big Ed is making them now.  Or you can tweak the trigger, itself.  If you find you really like the gun, ship it off to Tim at Mac-1 for a "Steroid Tune" and you'll have just about the world's best multi-pump gun.  Something to consider other than CO2 and springers.

[grumpy]

How about a crossman 1077. No pumping and its reasonably quiet.

[AirScopes]

Cometa 220 Compact... I have them in stock for $240. It has the same specs as the R7, but it has a 'moderator'... Perfect for shorter range shooting, and a really nice gun.

Richard

PS - I have a Daisy 953 as well... totally different. Not as much of a 'real rifle' feel, but a gun I like and shoot with the kids. It is not a bad choice.

[momosgarage]

How about a crossman 1077.

I have ruled out most Co2 guns like the crossman 1077.  I had these when I was younger and the stock was wood back then.  I think the model today is junk and would need servicing, although its likley a decent shooter.  I paid thousands to keep Co2 gear going when I was on the paintball circuit, I wouldn't do that anymore even for a good quality air rifle.  Upkeep and tuning is one thing, possible constant busted valve lines and seals is a "no go" for me.  

Have you ruled-out co2 guns? If not, the QB-78 / AR2078 rifles are great guns and the price is way inside your budget.

I had never heard of the QB-78 / AR2078, they do look nice

A Disco with a LDC is very good

No LDC for me.  I won't take a chance, I am in California

A tuned MM b26 is also good, or a used R7/R9.

I looked at the B26, but thought it had a much higher velocity than the R7, hence being louder?

Might consider a Benjamin trail NP with an aftermarket trigger blade.
Either that or the crosman titan, or NPSS.

I have handled and shot the Benjamin Trail in .177, but was told it was louder than the Remington NPSS and the TitanGP low velocity.  I did like it.  I also looked at the Avanti 853, but figured at that price I might as well get the R7

Well, you sort of can't have it both ways.

I am willing to eventually get two rifles if needed, but hoped I could shoehorn my needs into one.

The Stoeger and Remington will make some noise.  

Does anyone have any experience with a modded Stoeger x20S that has a gas piston?  I have read on this forum such a combo is very quiet.

Cometa 220 Compact

I have never seen a review for this rifle.  Where can I buy it retail, with a return policy?

[Rico14]

If you don't want to spend the money on an R7, take a look at the HW30s, it's the same gun as the R7, and less expensive

[dnullify]

I've got a cometa fusion. A handsome powerful rifle, although not quiet. I'm sure the 220 is quieter.

The thing about spring piston rifles is the noise level isn't completely dependent on the velocity of the pellet. The shot cycle and piston firing actually causes a lot of noise. That's why tuned rifles were suggested. Generally the magic tuners work also quiet down air rifles.

If you can find a used/tuned r7/r9 on the BST/yellow and can afford it, that may perhaps be the best option.

Next to that, i'd say a trail/titan, which has a piston and is quieter (or so i've read).

[Smaug]

The 953 is a great rifle. I've got one, and reviewed in the Airgun Reviews gate. (ditto for the X20) The 953 is pretty quiet, as it is low velocity, and there's no noise of pistons slamming around. But it still sounds like an airgun to someone the next yard over if you shoot more than a shot every 10 minutes or so. This is the quietest rifle you suggested.

The X20 is a great gun with enough power to hunt, but notably louder than the 953, which is itself loud enough to sound like an airgun. The X20S is not much quieter, according to one of the online reviews. (either Rick Eutzler at airgunweb.com or the dude who does the reviews on pyramyd's website; his name escapes me at the moment)

To me, the only 100% option you have is shrouded PCP, like a Benjamin Marauder. But it is expensive, even though it is the least expensive shrouded PCP gun. Plan on $600 minimum. They're super-quiet, and also quite powerful and accurate.

A good affordable bet would be a Crosman 2100 Classic or Daisy 880. They will be as loud as the 953 if you pump them the minimum of 3 times, but when you go out hunting small game, you have the option of pumping them 10 times. They're easier to mount scopes on than the nicer and more powerful Benjamin pumpers. They'll only be powerful enough for up to rabbit-sized game. Is that OK? If these end up being too loud for back-yard shooting, you're not out much money, and you'd still have the option of shooting them indoors.

Can you practice at 10 yards indoors? I live in a small condo, but even I can get 10 yards with a little effort. 10 yards at small targets is good practice for 30 yards at larger targets. It's just that the pellet trajectory and trigger pull changes a bit with more pumps.

[momosgarage]

If you don't want to spend the money on an R7, take a look at the HW30s

I am only seeing a $60 USD difference, I guess I could use that towards the tune?

[momosgarage]

The X20S is not much quieter, according to one of the online reviews.

Even with a gas-piston conversion?  I figured it wouldn't be much quieter out of the box and planned to budget in the gas-piston conversion.

Can you practice at 10 yards indoors? I live in a small condo, but even I can get 10 yards with a little effort. 10 yards at small targets is good practice for 30 yards at larger targets. It's just that the pellet trajectory and trigger pull changes a bit with more pumps.

Around 12 yards totally inside the house and a little less than 20 yards outdoors, shooting while hidden inside the garage/port (not visable from any angle, but it only has two walled sides, so sound would reflect and travel somewhere).

A good affordable bet would be a Crosman 2100 Classic or Daisy 880. They will be as loud as the 953 if you pump them the minimum of 3 times, but when you go out hunting small game, you have the option of pumping them 10 times. They're easier to mount scopes on than the nicer and more powerful Benjamin pumpers. They'll only be powerful enough for up to rabbit-sized game. Is that OK? If these end up being too loud for back-yard shooting, you're not out much money, and you'd still have the option of shooting them indoors.

Smaug, I have taken a look at the big box type 880's and 2100's in the store.  I didn't like them at all.  However, I felt much better about the quality of the Remington Airmaster 77 and the Daisy 22 SG.  Will your "three pump" theory apply to these two rifles?  Frankly, I thought the low-velocity Titan GP nitro-piston would be quieter than these two.  Am I right or wrong?

[sawtoothscream]

get a benjamin disco w/ the pump then buy a tko shroud. you wont have to pay anything extra just use the pump to refill every 25-30 shots, extremely easy to pump and extremely accuracte.  guns got power

if not that idk, havnt used many springers, the trail NP i had was very inaccurate and i sent it back. my gamo bigcat was a shooter but thats dead now. if i had to use a pumper i would build a 13xx one

[Smaug]

Any gun without a shroud is going to make air noise with the air escaping behind the pellet. Whether it's 700 fps from a Crosman 2100 or from a low velocity Titan GP.

The gas piston guns' mechanisms will be slightly quieter than the piston of the spring guns, but this isn't where most of the noise comes from.

The Crosman 2100 and Daisy 880 look cheap and are built cheap, but they're famously accurate.

I don't know much about aftermarket shrouds for Discoveries, but if they are effective, this sounds like a great way to go.

12 yards indoors is great for a Daisy 953. It would allow you to target shoot at 10 yards and 10 m. Or to practice with your hunting gun (no matter how loud) before you go afield with it.

Where are you located, geographically? There might be a local GTA-er who would have you over to have a listen and judge for yourself.