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pizza · New Member

Hi there,

When I was in Air Force basic training, I was awarded with a marksman ribbon for excelling at firearms training. I knew zip about guns (still don't) and honestly, it was the first time I've ever *seen* a real gun, but I probably did so well because I play a lot of video games. :-)

Anyway, I thought it was a lot of fun. Target practice was a real hoot (although I don't think I could ever shoot an animal, it's still a lot of fun aiming at bottles and cans).

Anyway, I'd like to do some target practice again -- I'd like to purchase a bb gun.

The only thing is, I know nothing about guns, so I was hoping some kind soul could help me out.

Money's not too much of an issue. I don't mind plunking down 350 - 450 bucks (although I obviously would like to pay less).

Noise is an issue. I hate loud noise. In fact, I'd like to purchase the quietest bb gun possible. I think this is my #1 wish -- the less noise the better. I know I can't get silent, but hopefully something comes close.

A nice scope. I love aiming at long range targets. I don't really mind kickback, weight, rate of fire, etc. I want nice long range firing, really nice scope, and quiet shooting.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Welcome aboard, Pizza!

Seems to me you're looking for a good to honest Springer.

You could start by looking at the B-26, B-28. These are really affordable, you can get a tuned B-26 too, if you want, which means that it'll stay good too. You say you want to use it for target practice, but does that mean shooting stuff, or punching paper to you?

Based on that (and maybe if you do want to take up hunting) you could try for a nice affordable airgun in .22. You could go for the European brands, but for a starting rifle, that's no fun.

You need a good scope to go with your rifle too, but as I'm not that much into the American market... Neutral

Most airguns will do alright up to 50 yards, and some people can hit stuff further away with em too, but that takes practice.

Springer are hold sensitive, so paying attention to your shooting technique is a must!

Well, hope this helped, I'll leave it to someone else to fill in the blanks, gotta get ready for a shoot!

kanyon · Silver Status Member

A wee shooter that can be over looked..is the
Gamo CFX..fixed barrel underlever cocking...
and they will stack pellets....

Pete

AirGunEric · Site Admin

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

welcome to the forum!!!

fritz · Silver Status Member

Nice to see someone who didn't go straight for a .22lr. I hope you can find something that will work great for you.

I can assume you live on base or in the suburbs? And you are in decent shape since you are in the airforce? Since noise is an issue no matter what, then you probably want a springer or shrouded pcp.

I would go with the CFX, although it can (as most guns will) have it's issues. They do have a reputation for being decent out of the box, but (as most all guns will) do better with a good tune. You can tune it yourself or shell out like $150 and have it done professionally. Out of the box it should be ok, main problems being that you cannot seat the pellet properly in the breach.

There is a very large world of airguns. Hang around and do some research on other forums also. Some things that you should learn right at the start is that velocity is NOT king, accuracy and energy is. "Hey, my gun shoots a speck of dust at 2000fps and it can't hit sh__!".

What state do you live in? Laws can really stop the fun... local laws may even prohibit you from owning airguns which could make you have to use a .22lr. Where you issued a rifle and sidearm at the armory- if you were not discharged yet?

pizza · New Member

Hi everyone, and thanks for the warm welcome! :-)

Target practice for me means bottles and cans, definitely not paper. I don't plan on doing any hunting - I couldn't possibly shoot a creature unless it was threatening me.

I'm not in the Air Force anymore -- that was about 15 years ago. I'm in decent shape. Good constitution.

I live in New York City -- will that be an issue? I would imagine if any city had local laws prohibiting owning an bb/airgun, it would be NYC.

And money is not too much of an issue. I'd be OK with spending about $500, give or take some.

So it sounds like the things I want to do research on are:

1. Springer: B-26, B-28.
2. Gamo CFX
3. Shrouded PCP

So these are the most quiet options (as long as they're legal in NYC)?

I'm sorry for being so ignorant, but what is a .22lr? Why is it so bad?

And how do scopes work -- I assume that whatever comes with the gun can be replaced by something with higher quality?

Thank you for putting up with such newbie questions. I don't know the first thing about this topic, but I'm eager to learn!

kanyon · Silver Status Member

sniper · Silver Status Member

pizza, what are your toppings? Laughing

from my experience. if you have $500 DO NOT BUY A CLONE! (b-26/b-28). i love mine but i didn't have $500.

springer: beeman R-1/R-9. RWS48/52. AIR ARMS TX200.
PCP: for quiet. TALON SS. BENJI MARAUDER (waiting for mine).

you have a lot of options for your money. don't make a snap decision. my advice is buy a cheapy and learn more about airguns (assuming it'll be an obssession).

.22 lr: .22 long rifle. as far as nyc. i have NO answers. Crying or Very sad

hang around the forum and ask more questions. you can't have too many questions. Wink

fritz · Silver Status Member

Airgun and NYC is suicide. I know NY state is cool with airguns and even firearms I think, but NYC is a pain in the a$$ IIRC. If you felt like traveling to Long Island you could visit Cobra airguns (www.airgunsbbguns.com).

.22lr is just about the most common smallbore rifle cartridge in the world. I'd say 99% of shooters shot their first firearm in .22lr or .22 short. The standard .22lr from a rifle is about 75-125fpe. Most smallbore airguns stay below 20fpe, but the .22lr only gives you about 20 more yards effective range- for most shooters.

Before you even buy a gun of any kind, look up the NYC police number (not 911) and talk to them about the law(s).

Scopes are pretty much binoculars, minus the one side, and one of the lenses has a stamp or crosshair on it. That lense can be moved inside the tube by the turrets thus allowing you to adjust the impact/aim point. Higher quality optics have clearer lenses, more precise adjustments, more precise reticules, are stronger, and will generally be of a higher quality. Not to say that you cannot buy a budget scope for under $100 and it serve you like one that might cost $500.

As Sniper said, you can go with an original model like a R_ model from Beeman. For the record, Beeman imports Weirauch (spelling?) guns, they are also known as HW-*number* guns.

Make sure you give the piggy patrol a call this week.

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

i used to live in NYC, and i can tell you first hand, air rifles are a BIG no no there. i dont think you can even have one shipped to any of the 5 boroughs.

but as fritz said, call your local precinct and ask, if they wont or cant give you answers, do some searching on NYC government websites, but get your facts 100% straight before you learn the hard way that your breaking the law.

oh, and welcome to the forum and the world of air guns!!!! theres a wealth of knowledge to had here, and some great, albeit goofy, people around here!!

sniper · Silver Status Member

who you callin' goofey dummy? Laughing

fritz · Silver Status Member

Noone is goofey around here... just a bunch of addicts.

Slavia · Moderator

Welcome to the forum, pizza!

An airgun is indeed the perfect solution for quiet, informal target practice. The only question is how NYC feels about it - the others gave you sound advice about checking out the laws first. All I know about NYC regulations is that the major retailers won't ship airguns there - I have no idea about possession or discharge. Even my little city in Minnesota prohibits the discharge of airguns within the city limits.

You mention "long" range - so I'm curious where you intend to shoot. To me, "long" range starts at about 50 yards. I shoot 10 meters in my basement, and longer ranges at the local club. The competitions on this forum are 10 meters for long guns and 5 meters for pistols. I don't know, maybe you have an uncle upstate where shooting is no problem. Where you will shoot will influence your choice of gun.

Eric is correct to caution against BB guns. What you want is a rifled barrel that shoots lead pellets. The general public uses the term "BB gun" as a generic phrase that covers all air guns. Real BB guns are nearly toys. I hesitate to say that, since the safe handling of a BB gun is the same as for any firearm, but their quality and accuracy put them nearly in the toy category. The term "dual ammunition" (i.e., steel BB's or lead pellets) is a misnomer. If it has a rifled barrel, shooting a few steel BB's through it will scratch the rifling and reduce it back to "BB gun" status.

Let me add a couple of options for your consideration. If a pistol strikes your fancy, look at the Beeman P17. Very accurate, and under $50.00 USD. In a long arm look at the Avanti (Daisy) 853, or the Daisy 953 (same as the 853 but without the name-brand Walther barrel). The 953 is under $100.00 USD, and the 853 closer to $300.00. Either Daisy will be accurate, and will accept a scope. All three are very, very quiet. The drawback is that they are all low-powered, and only useable out to about 30 yards. On the other hand, that vice is a virtue for indoor shooting.

http://www.airgundepot.com/daisy-avanti-853c.html
http://www.airgundepot.com/daisy-953-target-pro.html
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/beeman-p17-marksman-2004-air-pistol.shtml