What is the "ultimately reliable" airgun?

[markjs]

Well I just pulled the trigger on a Crosman 362. Been wanting one since they announced the gun. not worthy I couldn't get the money together before the Hatsan refurbs were gone, but this is an entirely new gun to me, so I'm happy.

Hate to break it to you, but I think you'll be much happier with the 880 you already have. I just bought a C362 and sold it off after a week because it was garbage. If you want a new gun get a 901... like an 880 but even better.

I doubt I will be as disappointed as you were. I know the 1322 pumper well, know what to expect, and plan to upgrade it with a steel or aluminum breech, scope and such.

If I do another multipump in .177 was thinking about a Winchester 1977, as it seems to be king in power for that type of gun...

[Nukall856]

  Excellent work on getting a new C362. It has power and range that the DP 880 lacks. You can take large medium feathers fur with a 362 well past 30 yards, an 880 is good for small feathers and the smallest fur to 30 yards scoped, I wouldn't push an 880 on anything that I think it can't drop.  I can do things with a C362 that I wouldnt dream of trying in an 880 when it comes to what I can take in feathers/ fur. Last year I took a 55 yard shot on Medium feathers C362 and JSB 14.3gr with a Mildot scope set on 4.5x.  Longest shot I've made in 880 was 35 yards on small feathers that's as far as I'd push a 880 on small feathers. Soo nm the dude who had a garbage C362.. XD

NVak

[HOSPassassin]

  Excellent work on getting a new C362. It has power and range that the DP 880 lacks. You can take large medium feathers fur with a 362 well past 30 yards, an 880 is good for small feathers and the smallest fur to 30 yards scoped, I wouldn't push an 880 on anything that I think it can't drop.  I can do things with a C362 that I wouldnt dream of trying in an 880 when it comes to what I can take in feathers/ fur. Last year I took a 55 yard shot on Medium feathers C362 and JSB 14.3gr with a Mildot scope set on 4.5x.  Longest shot I've made in 880 was 35 yards on small feathers that's as far as I'd push a 880 on small feathers. Soo nm the dude who had a garbage C362.. XD

NVak

880/901 is deadly on squirrels out to about 20 yards and starlings or doves out to 30.

A lot of people love the 362 but I must have lost the barrel lottery. The accuracy stunk even after installing a steel breech and scope.

[Nukall856]

HOSPassasin,
 I have a DP901 and two DP880s that I trust to hit what I am aiming at with either open sights or plain 4x32mm to 30+ yards. All have the Limiter Slot filled w JB weld, shimmed Piston Orings and modlflow bolt, get around 30 FPS increase over stock piston. Also have tape mod on the straw barrels. Fun accurate cheap airguns.  I want another C362.. want not need ATM.

NVak

[Back_Roads]

 Popular opinion was to get a pumper, 362 should serve you well, DF 2 would be the other modern choice. 362 good value for the $ and parts available galore.

[markjs]

Popular opinion was to get a pumper, 362 should serve you well, DF 2 would be the other modern choice. 362 good value for the $ and parts available galore.

Yeah, I like the concept of the Drangonfly MK2, but the cost is too high, and pumping 15 times, even if easier, seems a PITA. I also don't like that over complicated stuff in the pump action. They're new enough I've not heard of problems with them yet, but I have heard folks say it's kinda scary fragile feeling.  I mean I could afford the DFmk2, if I really wanted it, but as you said, the Crosman, American made angle, and amount of easily accessible replacement and upgrade parts, and lower initial cost just amkes the crosman much more appealing to me, to the point I don't actually see myself buying a DFMK2.

I do like some of the "SnowPeak" CO2 guns. I think if I do buy a Chinese gun, a .22 CO2 rifle seems more appealing. I've read that you can get those to shoot up near 20 foot pounds. I've never heard of an American CO2 rifle with that much power, even in .22.

I already have my home made backpaker, which needs love to work right, my Daisy 880, and now my 362. I think I'm probably good on pumpers, with he possible exception of a Daisy 901, and maybe a Legacy 1000, even possibly a Winchester 1977xs.  Those are all "cheap" guns with great performance for what they are. I don't see getting all three but one or two, perhaps...

Also on my "list" is another 2240. The one pictured in my Avatar was stolen. God I loved that thing, it was dead accurate, and hit with power with it's 10" barrel.  Unfortunately the custom shop is no more, always wanted a 2400kt.  Really unfortunately, I want one, but am totally unexcited to buy one. Something about buying a gun I had before, even one I know and love, dampens the excitement of buying it again.  I'd really prefer a 2240XL, I mean why bother with the plastic &^^&? I figure just get it upgraded straight off, but what confuses me, is why can I get the 2240XL at so many places but NOT on the Crosman website? Is the 2240XL an aftermarket upgrade?

[Back_Roads]

 My 2 favorite CO2 guns are the XS 60c, and Diana Chaser, the first can do a good 15 FPE with Mikes power tune for 20 shots. The Chasers offer accuracy and a repeating action.

[markjs]

My 2 favorite CO2 guns are the XS 60c, and Diana Chaser, the first can do a good 15 FPE with Mikes power tune for 20 shots. The Chasers offer accuracy and a repeating action.

Yes, I think that Xisico is the one I was looking at. I believe it can be tuned to push in excess of 20fpe.

[lefteyeshot]

If "the stuff hit the fan". An Optima broke down in my ruck sac and a AR15, 1911 and a 2" barrel small frame. But actually at me and the wife's age we'd probably stay right here.

[avator]

Oh yeah... We already live on a one lane dead end dirt road in the woods of lower Alabama. If TSHTF I can think of a better play to hole up than right here. We have everything we need to defend our palace and put food on the table.

[AKM]

Air guns have no place in a SHTF situation, unless you want to be one of the first ones taken out. 

They can put food on the table (small game) but that's about it.

You would be better served with a bolt action 22lr. Or better yet a AR15.



 

[Habanero69er]

To be clear, an airgun isn’t anywhere near recommended as a defensive weapon. Unless, you’re defending against squirrels, rabbits, etc.

[triggerfest]

HW90 in .22

The best self contained airgun out there.

Reliable, accurate, best trigger for a non match airgun and just good looking too.

[Novagun]

Another here we go again thread. Bug out with your airgun or stay home. With an airgun you will be at the bottom of the pecking order if the competition gets to that.  Could you rely on what has colourfully been described as an evening mouse fart?

[avator]

Apparently many folks have a different opinion then I do of what s hitting the fan means.
For me it's more of a survival without all the modern stuff that has made us weak than a "purge" situation.
BTW... if it all fails good luck finding clean water or even air, for that matter. Personally, I'm heading for the hills if it gets to that point.
And yes, I'm taking light weight shelter, a means of making fire, a good hatchet, knife, a pumper air rifle with a couple repair kits and a few tins of pellets (try packing 1500 - 2000 rounds of PB ammo around) and some simple fishing stuff (line and hooks).

[Mzq284]

You're going to love your 362. From my experience with mine,
I would go for a Baker Airguns aluminum breech and a lightweight fixed power scope. My breech screw comes loose and needs tightening, I think a lighter breech and scope would help with that. A lighter scope at least. I have a CVLife 4 x 32 that weighs next to nothing, might be the perfect set up. Or just run the factory peep like I did for a while, it works fine.

[Yarddog]

I would never choose an air gun for a quote end quote bugout weapon. Just sayin

[Novagun]

"HERE WE GO AGAIN".A quote from me . This is not an apology because that is facile . I wish I had not typed those words because any member on this forum should be able to post anything within the rules without derision.

[markjs]

Y'all are kinda missing my point, or many of you are. No one expects to survive, vs, other people gunning for ya with airguns. But just to be able to hunt effectively with a gun that only needs the lead to shoot is kinda a big deal.

In a REAL survival situation, yeah you're gonna have your firearm(s). Personally I think a 22lr would do everything I need for the most part. But even if you have a ton of 22lr or whatever ammo, you're gonna wanna save that for need. If you have aq ton of pellets too, you're gonna turn to pellets first to reserve your resources. Pellets are also quieter, less likely to draw attention.


So anyway, as just a reliable gun to take down a bird or rabbit for dinner, in a survival or limited resources situation, I expect my new 362 will pretty much fit the bill.

A lot of folks say Benjamin pump rifles, but the soldering scares me. IDK if I'd wanna rely on something so complicated held together by solder. Somehow I think, for all it's plastic, once I get a steel breech on it, I expect the 362 to be a reliable gun.  All the same it's "dang" sad about the 392/397 discontinuation. Looks to me like Benjamin now is purely a PCP rifle company. Oddly I don't even see some Benajamins listed on the Crosman site anymore, you have to go to the Benjamin site.

All in all, IDK that Daisy owning Crosman takes things in a direction Crosman fans will be happy about. I kinda expect Crosman to scale down what they do, offering just a few items, much like Daisy.  I mean Daisy does what they do fairly well, but it's quite a limited range. I knd of expect Crossman to go the same.

Sad, but I don't really see Crosman coming out with much new and cool. Just same old same old, and finding ways to do it cheaper.

[avator]

Y'all are kinda missing my point, or many of you are. No one expects to survive, vs, other people gunning for ya with airguns. But just to be able to hunt effectively with a gun that only needs the lead to shoot is kinda a big deal.

In a REAL survival situation, yeah you're gonna have your firearm(s). Personally I think a 22lr would do everything I need for the most part. But even if you have a ton of 22lr or whatever ammo, you're gonna wanna save that for need. If you have aq ton of pellets too, you're gonna turn to pellets first to reserve your resources. Pellets are also quieter, less likely to draw attention.


So anyway, as just a reliable gun to take down a bird or rabbit for dinner, in a survival or limited resources situation, I expect my new 362 will pretty much fit the bill.

A lot of folks say Benjamin pump rifles, but the soldering scares me. IDK if I'd wanna rely on something so complicated held together by solder. Somehow I think, for all it's plastic, once I get a steel breech on it, I expect the 362 to be a reliable gun.  All the same it's "dang" sad about the 392/397 discontinuation. Looks to me like Benjamin now is purely a PCP rifle company. Oddly I don't even see some Benajamins listed on the Crosman site anymore, you have to go to the Benjamin site.

All in all, IDK that Daisy owning Crosman takes things in a direction Crosman fans will be happy about. I kinda expect Crosman to scale down what they do, offering just a few items, much like Daisy.  I mean Daisy does what they do fairly well, but it's quite a limited range. I knd of expect Crossman to go the same.

Sad, but I don't really see Crosman coming out with much new and cool. Just same old same old, and finding ways to do it cheaper.

I understood your point perfectly. Only a fool would choose an airgun for self defense. I might tuck my .22magnum pistol away somewhere for the "just in case" situation but it would not be my go to to stave off the hunger pains.