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Griff1950 · Member

After decades of experience with various pump-up airguns, I finally got bitten and bought a Chinese "Beeman" dual barrel setup from the local Wally-World. At first, I couldn't keep it on a 8 1/2" X 11" sheet of paper at 20 yds. I went through all the steps, tightened all screws, etc., and was able to finally get 6" spreads at the same distance. Kinda makes "setting the sights" an oxymoron!!! I made another trip to Wally-World and bought an assortment of pellets and proceeded to try them all. By this time, my arm was so sore from cocking the d&*n thing that I quit for the day. On the way home from Wally-World, I stopped at a yard sale and bought a true flea market Chinese spring-piston rifle in the same caliber. Next day, I tried again. The Daisy wadcutter premieres were a definite favorite in the Beeman, grouping about 1/2" or so at 33'. The real surprise came when I tightened all the loose screws on the flea market job, and it shot just as good groups as the Beeman, only with Crosman Premiere hollowpoints, but with far less power.
It seems that the spring-piston guns are very sensitive to type of hold and other factors than the pump-up guns.
Oh, btw, I never got an appreciable improvement in accuracy until I improvised a seating tool from a finishing nail and a piece of wood.
Any feedback or ideas are welcome. I have a $50 assortment of pellets on order from Pyramyd, and will post again if/when I achieve another significant improvement in accuracy.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Sounds good. Springers are very hold sensitive and almost all airguns are choosy about their pellets.

Legendpilot · Member

I have the same rifle, scoped, with the .22 cal. barrel loc-tited in.

You are correct in that springers in general are hold sensitive, and this gun's no exception. Utlizing a very light hold around the trigger area, I just rest the forearm on my steady hand. My cheek barely touches the stock at all, and the gun is almost 'floating' in my light grip. I lightly squeeze the trigger and let the gun recoil as it will, fore and aft. You definatly don't want a gorilla grip going on here, or your shots will spread. Also, the gun seems to like RWS superdomes the best, I can consistantly hit dime sized groups at 20 yards.

Practice with it, be patient, and I think you really enjoy shooting it; even if it is Chinese. Laughing

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

You bought an airgun at walmart AND a chinese airgun at a yard sale.

So you got TWO chinese airguns! Laughing

Griff1950 · Member

Roger, what can I say? I'm just a glutton for punishment.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

All the Beeman product under about $300.00 are "China specials". "Marksman" owns Beeman, so there is some lineup crossover as well.

I found on a couple of the lower end Marksman pistols that seating the pellet well past the point of reasonableness helped accuracy- then I got rid of those POS's and said I wouldn't be buying any more Marksman products again- I think I would have had more accuracy throwing the guns 10 yards one after another than shooting pellets with them.

In any event, welcome to the world of airgunning. As mentioned, you are correct about springers being hold sensitive- just don't let the ones you have now put you off, there are much better products out there for only a bit more money.

Amigo · Veteran Member

Welcome to Airgun Home Griff Exclamation

As with most forums, opinions are like A.s H...s, everybody has one.

Now as far as springers are concerned, I appreciate them all. In the right hands, they all have tremendous potential... See some of the projects posted by Slavia. Real proof that a silk purse really can be made from the proverbial "sows ear".

If someone has the will and the ability, even the least expensive Chinese built airgun can become an excellent shooter. Also, if not already aware, many Diana/RWS airguns parts are made in China - go figure.

I must admit that as a dyed-in-the-wool tinkerer, I have more fun with an airgun that has more "tinker" potential.

Best regards, and enjoy exploring your new toys.

Amigo

Griff1950 · Member

I'm far from dissatisfied with the new Beeman. Actually, quality is quite good for a product that only cost $85 plus tax. And I'm sure that with some patient pellet matching and lots of practice that I can get some truly good accuracy with this rifle. Oh, and I haven't even tried the .22 barrel yet!

Slavia · Moderator

Welcome, Griff1950!

Two things: Hold the gun as lightly as possible while still maintaining control. No death grip - just let it rock. Second, remember the gun will take 500-1000 rounds to break in fully.

Now go have fun, post your exploits, and we'll be here to applaud when the customization urge hits.

thepaladin · Senior Member

Right, welcome by the way, give the rifle it's breakin period and you got some good advice. Springers are (as you've already been told) very hold sensitive. Let it recoil. I to simply allow my springers to rest on my forward hand, no grip at all. Once you get used to it I'm pretty sure it'll be accurate for you.

And don't let the critisim of the chinese gun thing get to you. I have Chinese, Turkish, English, and American made guns. Enjoy. Every gun has its strong and weak points.

Slavia · Moderator

Griff1950 · Member

If it will ever quit raining here, I plan to give both the yard sale Chinese job and the .22 Beeman barrel a good wringing out. I really don't know why I didn't change out the barrels on the Beeman at the start. I prefer the .22 for most of my shooting.

thepaladin · Senior Member

I know...it's rained for 2 weeks or something here. I'm going to take my air guns after fish soon!

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

Wellcome aboard Griff!