Crosman Summit Ranger

[ER00z]

The Crosman Summit Ranger was probably one of the best break barrels released by Crosman. It was very similar to the Benjamin Summit, the difference being the Benjamin had a shrouded barrel and a weaver style scope rail while the Crosman had (metal) open sights. I recently sent a pair of Summit Rangers off to a new home, but got digging deeper into one of the gun cabinets and found a third Crosman Summit Ranger waayyy in the back, Lol.

This one had a broken butt pad that was poorly taped back on, but otherwise was in good condition. I also dragged out a Benjamin Summit which had the barrel chopped, and even with the full power ram only put out 10fpe, which was fine for the time I needed a compact mid power air rifle. But, part of me wanted to bring the Crosman Summit Ranger back to full glory...

I swapped the Benji stock onto the Crosman, unscrewed the muzzle "brake" that retains the front sight and added a Donnyfl Sumo then proceeded to resight with the moderator and new stock. Part of me had forgotten how much gusto these rifles had, true Magnums without going over into Uber Magnum territory. Pushing H&N FTT 8.6gr pellets into the high 900's (about 990fps avg.) it doesn't take long for pellets to get on target. If anything, I'll have to switch to 10+ grain pellets for this gun, which hopefully aids in better accuracy down range.

I still have more planned for this project, but here's some photos...

[ER00z]

A few more photos... With the new (old) stock, Donnyfl, a 25 yard target shot with open sights and a chrony photo.

[ER00z]

Well, I've got a little good, bad and ugly...

The good,
After adding an optic I switched over to H&N Baracuda Hunter pellets, as they're a bit heavier at 10.5 grains. They averaged about 875-ish fps over the chrony for just shy of 18fpe. With the lighter 8.6gr pellets the gun made just over 18fpe, so I'd say it's fairly consistent on power.

The bad,
With continued shooting the Donnyfl worked a bit loose, as there was no thread locker used. This caused the front sight to swivel over. It just slip fits on the muzzle, requiring either the "muzzle brake" or whatever threaded on to compress fit/retain it's position on the muzzle.

Here's a few photos...

[ER00z]

Now for that last bit,
This gun did well at 25 & 30 yards with the Baracuda Hunter 10.5's. Not super, but well. I'd consider the Crosman Summit Ranger a "Magnum" class break barrel, and it behaves like one also. The gas ram gives a quick sharp shot cycle, and before you can mutter any thoughts the pellet is already on target. Somehow Crosman managed to pull off great power with relatively mild cocking effort. 

Now, all that being said, this is about the longer range accuracy, which wasn't the best. Honestly, I didn't test many pellets, haven't cleaned the bore, the shooting is outside with mixed wind, my shoulder is knotted up, etc., etc. etc... Plenty of excuses, plus I've been spoiled by PCP's as of recent     

My 50 yard results were roughly 4" or so. Not great, but not horrid either I guess. I was actually surprised the grouping was so large I went and brought out a springer of German make, which has been well sorted out, just to see if it's me or the gun. The conclusion was it's mostly me, but some the gun and/or pellet combination.

Here's some 50 yard target photos, Only shot for grouping. The target with most in the black were from the German gun, just for comparison. I'm sure in the right hands, both could do much better 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nice set up on your Summit Ranger Zack.
Does the Donnyfl Sumo make much of a difference ?

My Summit Ranger is .22 cal.
I really like this rifle.
It will shoot most Crosman pellets well.
Right now my rifle is sighted in with Crosman Premier Hollow points.
It has also done well with Crosman Piranha's and Destroyers.
I favor the Destroyers for hunting.


Below, the first picture, is a 5 shot group that I shot with my rifle at 25 yards shooting Destroyers
The second picture is a 6 shot group shot at 35 yards with Piranha's
The shots were semi-off hand with the rifle braced on an upright door frame.

Best Wishes - Tom

[ER00z]

Tom, thank you for reading.

Honestly, there wasn't a huge difference with the Donnyfl Sumo, but there was a difference. If an owner of a Summit Ranger already owns a moderator with 1/2 UNF threads and they want to fit it, the little bit of muzzle "snap" will be eliminated. Otherwise cost to effectiveness might not be proportional, especially with a more expensive moderator.

These rifles really shine in .22 caliber. That is some excellent shooting! Thank you for posting (and doing the Summit Ranger justice in the accuracy department    )

[A moron]

Crosman Piranha's and Destroyers. I say pretty nice..  the destroyers especially at a longer ranges with them.

Ive not used them in .22 but lots in .177

Heck i dont think i ever seen destroyers in .22 around here to grab.   Id sure try some now seeing that..

"These rifles really shine in .22 "

Ya, why i like .22 only now and prefer to shoot them the most + in the more magnum powered.   (Opinion)

[ER00z]

Crosman Piranha's and Destroyers. I say pretty nice..  the destroyers especially at a longer ranges with them.

Ive not used them in .22 but lots in .177

Heck i dont think i ever seen destroyers in .22 around here to grab.   Id sure try some now seeing that..

"These rifles really shine in .22 "

Ya, why i like .22 only now and prefer to shoot them the most + in the more magnum powered.   (Opinion)

Deeco, I've got to agree with you 

I did sneak out and shot some Piranhas from this Summit Ranger 177, and I think Mr. Tommy Boy is on to something about these guns liking Crosman pellets, 

Only shot five at 25 yards, but four basically were very close and one got away from me.

[A moron]

👍

They work well in my gamo .22 but not so in the r9 .177 (pirahans).

Real tight in the r9 but just fine in the he gamo as well..

Also the tins count sizing seem more consistent uniform  then the cphp . 

The r9 distroyers if sized well shoot great but its a "up to"  yardage Wise for me .177

Then it a what the Barrel likes pre gun as well?
 

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Tom, thank you for reading.

Honestly, there wasn't a huge difference with the Donnyfl Sumo, but there was a difference. If an owner of a Summit Ranger already owns a moderator with 1/2 UNF threads and they want to fit it, the little bit of muzzle "snap" will be eliminated. Otherwise cost to effectiveness might not be proportional, especially with a more expensive moderator.

These rifles really shine in .22 caliber. That is some excellent shooting! Thank you for posting (and doing the Summit Ranger justice in the accuracy department    )

Hi Zack.

I have never bothered with a moderator on my Summit Ranger, it is fairly quiet as is.
If I want a moderated rifle, I have a .22 cal. Crosman Redtail with a factory moderator already on it.
The Redtail is the quietest rifle that I own and it also does well with Crosman pellets.
Every Crosman gun that I ever owned did well with Crosman pellets.

Best Wishes - Tom

Crosman Piranha's and Destroyers. I say pretty nice..  the destroyers especially at a longer ranges with them.

Ive not used them in .22 but lots in .177

Heck i dont think i ever seen destroyers in .22 around here to grab.   Id sure try some now seeing that..

"These rifles really shine in .22 "

Ya, why i like .22 only now and prefer to shoot them the most + in the more magnum powered.   (Opinion)

Hi Decco.

A while ago, I bought 10 tins of .22 cal. Crosman Hollow points at Walmart while they were being sold for $5.24
I have a 22 cal.Hatsan Edge, a .22 cal. Umarex Surge Max, the Summit Ranger and the Redtail all sighted in with them.

The .22 cal. Destroyers I got a while back at Pyramid Air. I bought 6 tins of them and I save them for hunting.
I can get the .22 cal Hollow points and .22 cal. Piranha's at Walmart.... but not .22 cal Destroyers.
Walmart does have Destroyers in .117 cal.

Best Wishes - Tom


Note:


Zack & Decco
Here is what pellets I currently have my rifles currently in with.





.25 cal Hatsan 125  =  .25 cal Hatsan 19.91gr Vortex Supreme Domed

.22 cal Hatsan 125  = .22 cal AA 18gr Diablo Field Heavy Domed

.117 cal Hatsan Striker = .117 cal H&N 8.5gr Sniper Medium Domed

.22 cal Crosman Summit Ranger
.22 cal Hatsan Edge
.22 cal Crosman Redtail                     =          .22 cal Crosman 14.3gr Premier Hollow Point
.22 cal Umarex Surge Max Elite

.177 cal Umarex NXG APX = Crosman 10.5 Crosman Piranha Hollow Point

[Blowpipe Sam]

Looks like I’ll be buying some Piranhas and some Destroyers.  The .177 cal Destroyers have worked well in my  Crosman 357 but nothing else.  I haven’t had any luck with Piranhas either. .22 Piranhas are going for ten bucks plus change per tin of 500 at the local Walmart.  CPHP are still under six bucks.

I’m looking forward to trying out the Summit ranger in the woods.  Zach and others have said a lot of good things about this gun and it sounds like it’s my kind of hunting rifle.  I’ve got enough guns that I can pick and choose the most appropriate tool for whatever conditions I expect to encounter.  I hunt with my pumpers and co2 guns until the leaves are off the trees.  Once the squirrel engagement range exceeds twenty five yards I switch to one of my Hatsan Magnums.  I’m hoping the Summit ranger will prove to be a dependable, weather resistant tool for hunting in the swamp but lighter and handier than the Hatsans.

[A moron]

Looks like I’ll be buying some Piranhas and some Destroyers.  The .177 cal Destroyers have worked well in my  Crosman 357 but nothing else.  I haven’t had any luck with Piranhas either. .22 Piranhas are going for ten bucks plus change per tin of 500 at the local Walmart.  CPHP are still under six bucks.

I’m looking forward to trying out the Summit ranger in the woods.  Zach and others have said a lot of good things about this gun and it sounds like it’s my kind of hunting rifle.  I’ve got enough guns that I can pick and choose the most appropriate tool for whatever conditions I expect to encounter.  I hunt with my pumpers and co2 guns until the leaves are off the trees.  Once the squirrel engagement range exceeds twenty five yards I switch to one of my Hatsan Magnums.  I’m hoping the Summit ranger will prove to be a dependable, weather resistant tool for hunting in the swamp but lighter and handier than the Hatsans.

"22 Piranhas are going for ten bucks plus change per tin of 500 at the local Walmart "

Look again at that count ....  Its 400 count a tin..( piranhas). At least the ones I've been buying are.

Kinda like a 175 count of crosman are 3.50$ a tin.  Lol...  The cphp is the bargain in .177 or .22  per pellet in a 500 tin , And shoot better overall.


Also i had good grouping with crosman pointed in .177,.  I guess the field point ones?

But its another pellet i cant get in .22 local .
only in .177.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Looks like I’ll be buying some Piranhas and some Destroyers.  The .177 cal Destroyers have worked well in my  Crosman 357 but nothing else.  I haven’t had any luck with Piranhas either. .22 Piranhas are going for ten bucks plus change per tin of 500 at the local Walmart.  CPHP are still under six bucks.

I’m looking forward to trying out the Summit ranger in the woods.  Zach and others have said a lot of good things about this gun and it sounds like it’s my kind of hunting rifle.  I’ve got enough guns that I can pick and choose the most appropriate tool for whatever conditions I expect to encounter.  I hunt with my pumpers and co2 guns until the leaves are off the trees.  Once the squirrel engagement range exceeds twenty five yards I switch to one of my Hatsan Magnums. 

I’m hoping the Summit ranger will prove to be a dependable, weather resistant tool for hunting in the swamp but lighter and handier than the Hatsans.

Hi Carter.

My Summit Ranger has been dependable and weather resistant for me.
Mine has seen mud, rain, sand, dirt, ice, snow and sub-zero temperatures.
It has proved very durable for me and always shot well under the various conditions that I ran into in the North Woods.

If you wish to see them...
These are some links to some of my hunting pictures with the Summit Ranger being used under various conditions.

1. > https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=151376.0;attach=250285;image

2. > https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=151376.0;attach=250283;image

[Blowpipe Sam]

Thanks Tom.  I trust your experience.  I mainly hunt squirrel but I like having enough gun to take a raccoon if the opportunity presents itself.  Now to find a tough scope that is also waterproof.

[A moron]

Thanks Tom.  I trust your experience.  I mainly hunt squirrel but I like having enough gun to take a raccoon if the opportunity presents itself.  Now to find a tough scope that is also waterproof.

Looking ng at this yesterday and thought interesting.  Low buck

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Thanks Tom.  I trust your experience.  I mainly hunt squirrel but I like having enough gun to take a raccoon if the opportunity presents itself.  Now to find a tough scope that is also waterproof.

Hi Carter

I have a Walther 4x scope on my Summit Ranger. This scope is simple and pretty clear. They are about $30 thru Umarex. I got mine at Gander Outdoors (Gander Mountain) in 2018. Mine is 4 years old and I have not had any problems so far.
If you are interested...
Here is a link to the Walther 4x scope > https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiuxovfqeL4AhVqLTQIHTMTARsQFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umarexusa.com%2Fwalther-4-x-32-1-tube-reticle-8&usg=AOvVaw3hVYlpWTO8NHT_yuuIdcVI

I had good luck with a Hammers 3-9x32 AO scope.
That was the best air rifle scope that I have ever owned.
I had it on a Benjamin Trail NPXL 1100 .22 cal. rifle.
That rifle had broken several scopes.
I had it mounted in a Diana Bullseye ZR scope mount.
It was very clear and the AO would focus down to 5 yards for close in shots.
It also worked very well at night under a full moon.
After I had bought the 3x9x32 scope I kinda wished I had got the Hammers 3-9x40 scope.

Best Wishes - Tom

If you are interested,...here is a link to a Hammers 3-9x40 scope and a Hammers 3-9x32 scope. Both are Magnum Air Rifle rated.

1. >

2. > https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiPr7zfqOL4AhWxMn0KHTC0AH0QFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHammers-3-9x32AO-Rifle-Scope-One-Piece%2Fdp%2FB001BXVCMU&usg=AOvVaw1ame4JTVP4Xw_MapeCrTRf

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Hi Zack.

Have you done any more target shooting with your .117 cal Crosman Summit Ranger rifle ?
This this post really... Surprised... me.
There is not much out there on the Summit Ranger.
Only a few people seem to own one.
I know that they are not as good looking as a nice German rifle with a hardwood rifle stock.
I do think it makes a good "no frills" hunting rifle,...it has for me.
Keep up the good work sir !

Best Wishes - Tom

[ER00z]

Tom,
I have done some plinking on steel spinners and rimfire targets, but haven't done anymore groups on paper yet. You are correct, it seems not many people owned these Summit Ranger rifles. I happend to be lucky to own three of them until recently. Sent the 22 & 177 off to the new owner, and honestly had forgotten about this last 177 burried in the back of one of my cabinets until I got digging through it.

I have started to slowly thin the airgun collection out, I'm not sure I'll be keeping this Summit Ranger yet, or if there's any demand for them. I have a few ideas I've been kicking around, but first I want to make sure the other two Summit Rangers I sent out made it in one piece before I decide the fate of this one. I do have to admit, the synthetic stock and NP power plant make these outstanding all weather guns.

[wll2506]

Hey guys, does the Vantage have the same powerplant as the Summit Ranger ?

Thank you,

wll

[ER00z]

Hey guys, does the Vantage have the same powerplant as the Summit Ranger ?

Thank you,

wll

The Vantage has the original Nitro Piston power plant (to the best of my knowledge) and the Summit Ranger has the NP2 power plant. I believe they share a similar stroke or possibly the same, but the NP(1) system has a 25mm piston while the NP2 has a 29mm piston. Also, the NP2 gas ram body is inverted from the NP gas ram (unless they've changed the gas ram orientation in the "standard" NP guns...?).