I'm a Poor. First PCP?

[Jayrotx821]

Let me preface this by saying  my range is only 35 yards.  I mostly shoot paper and steel targets but I am the designated critter getter amongst my neighbors.  I have several Daisy 880's and 901's that I've converted to .22 cal and they are pretty decent.  However, I'm getting the PCP bug.  Not out of necessity but just because it seems like the logical next step.  I will skip over the break barrels because I want something with no recoil, magazine fed and is backyard friendly.  I also don't want to have to break the barrel between shots to cock it.  I occasionally go out to the country and can take longer shots 100  yards plus but not enough to justify spending a lot of money to do so.  I will mainly be sitting on my porch drinking coffee and ringing steel. 

I am a poor.  So I was drawn to the beeman QB chief and the Diana Stormrider.  If you were looking at these two options.  Which would you choose and why? 

[AlanMcD]

I'll admit upfront that I don't have any "low cost" air rifles - the cheapest being a few Marauders - but I do want to advocate buying used.  All but one of my air rifles were purchased used, some off the classifieds here.  All transactions went great, the guns were as advertised or better, and the cost was well below what it would have cost to buy new.  No warranty of course, but I am handy and knew I could fix things if needed.  And if you are able to do repairs yourself it will only be a matter of time before you decide to modify or "improve" the gun, as you have already done with your others, and thus will void the warranty anyways.

Good luck!

[Goose]

I favor the QB Chief because I'm really familiar with that system.  I plan on picking a used one up and adding a Co2 bulk-fill adapter (for the summer months) because it will add a lot more shots without adding a lot of cost.

I've read good things about the Diana as well.  Whichever is the most accurate for the money is probably your best choice.  I know the Beeman will likely require a little TLC before it does really well in that department.

Luck,

J~

[HOSPassassin]

Try a Diana Storm rider/PR900 from Wes at Airguns Archery Fun. I suggest getting it in .177 because the shot count will be a little better. It's regulated and plenty of power for 35 yards. They're pretty easy to work on even for a noob like me and there are plenty of replacement parts and upgrades available. I have heard that parts for the Chief can be scarce.

[Bicycleman]

Jae, I am currently shooting my second Stormrider .22.  I hunt the woods for squirrels and have taken 23 with this Stormrider.  The only two modifications I have made was to remove the factory moderator and replace it with a Rocker1 moderator; and I have added a sling I bought from Pyramyd Air.  This is my fifth PCP and I am well pleased with the accuracy and lightness of this rifle.  It is actually the rifle my son shoots when he hunts with me.  Other than that, I take it hunting when I plan to do much walking.
I will let someone else talk about the QB Chief because I have not owned/shot one of those.

[ranchibi]

If you can swing it, the Umarex Notos is around $233, small reservoir that can easily be hand pumped and will get at least 21 regulated shots. A few people have them and are gushing over them.

[Rick67]

A Gamo Urban.

[Jayrotx821]

@HOSPassassin, you make a very valid point about parts availability.  That would definitely tip the scales.   If I can't find parts to modify and repair then that'd be a problem. 

Is there a problem with that free floating barrel in the Storm rider?  I've read of people adding a second barrel band.  Is this necessary or hype?

[avator]

Jay..
2 good choices  but of the 2 I think I would go with the Diana but, I wouldn't get the Diana. I would get the same gun from Wes.. the Stormrider.

https://airgunarcheryfun.ca/artemis-stormrider-high-power-regulated/

Dealing with Wes is like dealing with friend. And the SPA guns are the new 'lego' guns. Lots of options for tinkering.
He has extra barrel bands with picatinny rail to add a flashlight, bipod or whatever... I don't like floating barrels either.
Wes has $17 flat shipping rates. You can call him and discuss what best fits your needs.

I assume you'll be hand pumping.. a regulated gun is great for hand pumping because you don't have to pump it to the max to get consistent shots... just less of them. And later when and if you go with a tank or compressor, you're already set to bump up the pressure.

[Nvreloader]

Jay
I own and shoot both of those rifles, in 177 and 22 calibers, in Co2/HPA.
I have to protect the chickens feed from Hosp/Starlings @ 45 yds,
both do an outstanding job and the better accuracy goes to the Storm Rider,
with just a slight edge.

You might want to look over the Dragon Fly II, it's a pumper,
so none of the support equipment is needed,
just grab the rifle and some ammo and head out.

It can be suited to fit the shooting requirement as far as being quite,
with the number of pumps for pumping etc.
 
Wes is an outstanding person to deal with, he won't steer you wrong.
HtH's

[SoCal]

my 2 cents : thinking just as important and maybe even costing more than the gun itself is the PCP Pump.

years ago, my newbie experience was buying a maurader, moderator, and moderator adapter and a Hill mk4 pump ...

then after normal usage and some expensive pump rebuilds (Hill MK4 Hand Pump Complete Seal Kit $37 + shipping) ...

noticed modern chinese pumps (look like FX copy) are at half the price, better quality, and can even come with a rebuild kit ...

so got a chinese pump (rif.: Amazon - GX H-4 PCP Hand Pump) and have not been disappointed. less pumping effort than a Hill also.

[null]

I would go with a Diana Stormrider. Get a Chinese hand pump to pump it up. Ready to shoot out of the box because it has iron sights.

When you get extra cash you can buy a scope and a regulator if you so choose.

[Spacebus]

Umarex Notos is a solid first PCP. Hand pump friendly, regulated, and light. They are based on the SPA PP750, which is a great budget friendly gun as well.

I'm also partial to the Bandit/PP800 or the Stormrider/PR900 which is the same gun but a rifle instead of a pistol. Both can be regulated and I think the new Stormriders have a factory reg now.

I feel like a regulated gun is a good first step because every shot above the reg setpoint will be very consistent. That's what you are used to with MSP guns. There are unregulated guns with consistent shot strings, but I like the assurance that the next shot will be the same velocity as the first. I also like the ease of tuning with an adjustable regulator.

If you can find one a Discovery or Maximus would be a great first PCP as well. They perform similar to the Stormrider, but with a lower fill pressure and much better aftermarket. Crosman is also bringing a PCP version of the 362 to market, which is neat, and they will probably be very similar to the disco and maximus.

For what it's worth, the Disco and Stormrider have the same size air tubes, so disco regs fit in a Stormrider.

[Earl]

https://mannofirearms.com/product/beeman-1335-pcp-chief-ii-plus-177-pellet-air-rifle-12-shot/

Gauntlet at Pyramyd Air is $225 less 10% GTA discount and free shipping is $202.50.
Good gun, good price, good seller, 60-day money back guarantee

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/umarex-gauntlet-pcp-air-rifle-synthetic-stock?m=4311#9272

[tennx]

I dont own any Beeman PCP long guns…(have a 1358 pup)but I do have 3 78’s ….I like the platform….considering the chief….…..good luck on your choice…

[Earl]

PCP hand pump.



https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802682208269.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.2a1030d25MSHDI&algo_pvid=89b421cd-4ffa-4e13-bb75-6b4c8c177965&aem_p4p_detail=202302271533369440465359791250014805535&algo_exp_id=89b421cd-4ffa-4e13-bb75-6b4c8c177965-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000031490543901%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2168.32%2136.99%21%21%21%21%21%40212250c216775408167404735d07d2%2112000031490543901%21sea%21US%210&curPageLogUid=5cs2jNplaAo5&ad_pvid=202302271533369440465359791250014805535_2&ad_pvid=202302271533369440465359791250014805535_2

[Jayrotx821]

Great price on the hand pumps!! 

I'm leaning towards the Storm Rider.  I like the idea of parts support.

[Back_Roads]

 I just got my first Storm Rider, Mark was getting tired of listing it for sale , so I bought his .177 Mrod Air version of it, perfect for back yard use, mine has no LDC early version, not pellet or slug picky. I also have the bigger brothers of the Storm Rider, the Outlaws in .177, and .25, along with a plethora of their pistols/ carbines, all great and have been trouble free.

[EdinGa]

I have 6 SPA guns now. I'm fan of them, and Wes is the man to get them from. I have a regulated .177 Stormrider (16fpe for 30 shots) and a .25 Stormrider (21fpe for 28 shots) and I'm planning to add a 3rd one in .22 when I can.

[Spacebus]

I have 6 SPA guns now. I'm fan of them, and Wes is the man to get them from. I have a regulated .177 Stormrider (16fpe for 30 shots) and a .25 Stormrider (21fpe for 28 shots) and I'm planning to add a 3rd one in .22 when I can.

The valve on these guns was definitely not made for 177 or 22 in light weight pellets. My 177 is also louder than my 22 with the same tune. The efficiency goes crazy with higher weight. I was getting 18 shots out of my 25 cal Bandit with a regulator and 9" barrel at 12 FPE. Crazy for such a tiny air reservoir. It did a great job with the NOE wadcutters even with the horrible muzzle/crown if you kept the range under 30'.