least hold sensitive springer?

[chodgmanjr]

I'd like to get a new springer, and I'm looking for one that isn't too hold sensitive.  I've got PD , so tight groups are a challenge some days, and I need all the help I can get.                    Charlie

[birdmove]

  Depends on what kind of power you want. If you can do without a magnum springer, I've heard very good things about the Air Venturi Bronco, and the Stoeger X5. What I've heard about the Bronco is that it has a great trigger and the internals look like they already got a quality lube and tune right from the factory.  The Stoeger doesn't have as nice of a trigger, but has had good reviews. I myself have had a tough time with spring piston air rifles. I just bought a new Crosman Phantom. I have less than 30 rounds through it. I just today got the scope mounted and sighted it so it's close. I shot only one group at 10 yards rested with Crosman Premier hollow points. That group, using the artillary hold, was about 1/2", which looks promising. But I think the gun is pretty hold sensitive.

    Others with more springer experience will chime in shortly, and give you some good advice.

[02stampede]

Generally speaking, lower powered guns will be less hold sensitive. When I put a 12 fpe kit in my TX 200, it became much easier to shoot. I plan on doing the same with my R9. I also want to purchase an R7.

You can see the trend here..

[robtmc]

After a lot of after the fact research, I found out about the RWS 54 that has a recoil reducing system.  That would seem to take much of the hold sensitivity out, but I defer to the old timers here that have been through all this about how well that would work.

You might do a search on the European airgun forum for comments about the gun.  All favorable that I found.  Very intriguing.

[pappa]

The most docile and yet effective springer I can recommend is the Crosman Nitro Venom. They get their power from a Nitrogen gas spring instead of a steel coil and they are totally devoid of any 'twang' or twisting effect upon firing. They are fairly light weight, easy to use and easy to look at. They cock extremely easily and yet have plenty of power and are always easy on the shooter. I have 2 and have found them to be extremely reliable with very little need for upkeep and they have been very good at destroying targets and varmints with great power and accuracy.

These rifles do improve about 200% in ease of use and accuracy with the addition of the GRT3 trigger from: http://charliedatuna.com/GRT-III%20Trigger%20New.htm

[chiro972b]

The 54 is probably less hold sensitive, but it is a very heavy beast, so take that into consideration. I find underlevers to be fairly good in this regard. My browning leverage is not hold sensitive but it is a tad heavy. RWS 460 I'm told is not very senstive and is a pretty powerful springer and is lighter than many underlevers.

[breakfastchef]

A spring powered air rifles all have some degree of recoil. No way around that. And, these rifles do need to be held a certain way to allow for the forward and backward recoil. I believe that shooting springers requires more concentration to shoot very well, too.

Good information above from other forum members. Lower power and heavier guns will have less noticeable recoil, and may be easier to shoot well. I would look at more docile shooters like a Beeman R7/Weihrauch HW30S or a Weihrauch HW50. If gun weight is not an issue, then an AATX200 MKIII or Beeman HW97K are very accurate shooters.

I'd like to get a new springer, and I'm looking for one that isn't too hold sensitive.  I've got PD , so tight groups are a challenge some days, and I need all the help I can get.                    Charlie

[Nathan]

Since all spring/gas ram guns recoil, all will have some degree of hold sensitivity. Those designs that separate the shooter from the recoiling parts (i.e. the RWS 54, TX 200 SR etc) or those that counter act the recoil by double opposing pistons (i.e. Whiscombe Diana Giss etc ) will have the least amount or none at all. I believe it was Mac-1 who said something like "1 lb of rifle weight for 1 ft/lb of muzzle energy" in reference to recoilling spring type guns to maintain shootability...

Nathan

[palonej]

After a lot of after the fact research, I found out about the RWS 54 that has a recoil reducing system.  That would seem to take much of the hold sensitivity out, but I defer to the old timers here that have been through all this about how well that would work.

You might do a search on the European airgun forum for comments about the gun.  All favorable that I found.  Very intriguing.

I purchased a 56 TH in Feb. This gun is simply amazing. Almost zero recoil, very powerful and accurate. It is heavy!! Not sure if you'll be bench resting. If so.....this one is a winner!!
Also have a TX 200. Another absolute gem!!
3 Gamo Whispers. Needed trigger upgrades and tunes to be anywhere near accurate.
Joe

[Bullit]

Have you looked at the Gamo CFR?  Historically Deadly accurate. All steel construction.  It's very Finger Safe Loading.  Nothing to hold onto, while loading it.  It's a 12fpe fixed barrel underlever rifle, that's very docile and not hold sensitive.  The cocking effort is much easier than the RWS 48/460/54/56 rifles.  I own them and while they are powerful, they also take more effort and are heavy rifles.
Many like the new SAT trigger, but if you don't, it is easily replaced with CDTs unit.   A decent quality compact lightweight scope will survive on this gun. It is a quiet gun. I've used one for years, and it's a lot of gun for the money.
http://www.airgundepot.com/gamo-whisper-cfr-air-rifle-combo.html
EDIT:  Walmart carries them online also.

[sperho]

I find that my Stoeger X20 is not very hold sensitive; less so than my TX200.  I does have a rearward weight-bias relatively to my TX200, so I don't shoot it as accurately though.  I can say that I can throw the X20 on a Caldwell bag any which way and I get excellent groups no matter where it's touch the stock (I do not put my hand between the gun and the bag).  My TX200 on the other hand only likes ONE position on the gun bag or it decides it would rather be a shot gun than a rifle.

[drewciferpike]

Generally speaking, lower powered guns will be less hold sensitive. When I put a 12 fpe kit in my TX 200, it became much easier to shoot. I plan on doing the same with my R9. I also want to purchase an R7.

You can see the trend here..

Like others have said, power is going to make a huge difference, if you don't go with a gun that isolates the recoil in some way. Even "kids" guns might be something to look at, as they're quite tame. Unless the size of the gun is an issue, you can even look at an XS12. The smoothest gun I've shot, so far, was a R7 (even compared to a TX200).

[Sqrl Klr]

I remember someone on here recently saying that they could accurately shoot their springer just like a regular rifle without an artillery hold. When you guys say "it's not hold sensitive" are you saying you shoot it accurately with a regular hold on the rifle not using an artillery hold?

[birdmove]

  I am not real experienced with shooting spring piston air rifles. I get the concept of Tom Gaylord's youtube on the art. hold. I am just starting to work with my new Phantom. I use a small portable rifle rest and a rolled up towel to put under the rifle. This seems to get me the better groups so far. I did try the art. hold, and it seemed to open up the groups. So, I am resting the forstock on the towel in the rest. I barely touch the gun with my left hand (I am right handed). I put the butt lightly into my shoulder. Right hand lightly reaches around the grip area behind the trigger guard. I try to pull straight back on the trigger. I try to let the air rifle move as it recoils. I then follow through, as in maintain the hold looking through the scope. The theory there is, if you get in a big hurry to lift your head and see where the shot went, it's a bad habit, and you could begin to do that before the gun is settled back down from the firing, it could affect your shot. That seems to work for me, though I am having the scope moving to the rear after maybe 20 shots. Time for a scope stop for my Phantom. My best groups so far are about 1/4" center to center at 10 yards rested. For me and a springer, that's a good group at this point.

[Bullit]

Gil, that really depends on what gun they were referring to.  Breakbarrels are generally more hold sensitive. I believe it gets worse as the FPE:gunweight ratio gets larger.  The grip I use on the CFX/CFR isn't an artillery hold, but the pressure is still light.  With the backweighting I did, it balances well, just under 2" front of the triggerguard. My 460 and 52 are more tolerant as well.  HTH.

[harleyflhxi]

I don't have personal experience with these, but per Tom Gaylord it seems that the TX200 and the new Walther LGV series have to be in the running for the least hold sensitive springer.

[chito]

I know this is an old post but just wondering if anybody tried the new Umarex Fuel for this reason?

[Meann-Machine]

RWS 54.  The semi-recoilless action takes away most, if not all hold sensitivity.

[Reddleader68]

I have the RWS 54 and it shoots like a laser beam on or off the bench. As the others have said, it is heavy and it's a magnum powered rifle that shoots (almost) like a target rifle.

[Bullit]

The model 48 is the same mechanical rifle for Diana.  It doesn't have the "Sliding Sled" scope mount...as the models 54 or 56.  Mechanically they are the same.  This is a really old question and thread...wow.