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LMR · Member

Newbie here to air rifles, and was wondering how long or how many shots I could expect out of a rifle before it loses too much of its punch? Are some companies easier to get rebuild kits then others? I have been thinking about the Walther Falcon Hunter or the Gamo Whisper, both in .22.

fritz · Silver Status Member

For those, if you should even keep them (probably wouldn't)... 2-3 years.

All the other guys know what I'm going to suggest... A Diana rifle. If you have the financial means, then a Weirauch (sold as Beeman in the US) would be fit. And yes... they do cost more. But they will last a hell of a lot longer, and be far more pleasing.

LMR · Member

Diana, is that the RWS brand? OK, I'll bite, fill me in on the differences in quality. Is it the pumps leak or do the triggers break frequently?I'ld just as much rather buy one and learn from others mistakes.

fritz · Silver Status Member

RWS is an importer. They do all kinds of shooting related things, ammo, powderburners, pellet guns, bb guns, accessories.

Diana vs. Gamo. Gamos are made in Spain, Dianas in Germany. Quality control, Dianas have excellent QC, some Gamos leave the factory looking like a donkey's rear end. Overall build quality, Dianas have a deep blue, wood stocks, all metal parts (except the trigger on mine, newer ones have plastic sights). Barrels are built to higher specs. Everything is better.

Dianas are the "starter" brand of European airguns, and their price reflects that (much less than that of Weirauch, Air Arms, old Webley, etc.). Quality, and accuracy are not skipped out on in the slightest bit. Expect more from the higher priced guns.

Gamos are lucky if they will do much. I do hear their QC and overall quality is improving, but their past far overshadows any improvements. I would not buy one. They also have a VERY questionable marketing campaign (not necessarily related to the products).

All of the Gamo guns, except for the (CFX is an underlever, but same powerplant) hunter extreme or whatever it is (rated at a satirical 1,600fps) are the same action, in a different stock. The Whisper is considered by some, a scam. Supressors do not work on spring powered airguns. Since all the others are the same in terms of power, and almost price, a Diana 34 is about $80 more. You WILL get that money back in performance and expected lifetime.

This is not to say you can't take a Gamo and make it better than a Diana 34, or that either is more powerful (they are in the same power class, about 14fpe).

Diana has a larger product range, they have a youth model (the 2X's), "average" (3X's), "magnums" have a three number product name, such as the 350, or 460. Most everything you could want in a springer is covered by Diana.

XD45 · New Member

I've got the Falcon Hunter in .25 with the Nitrogen Piston, plus the Crosman NPSS in .22 with the Nitrogen Piston also. These guns aren't that expensive, so buying a new one every few years shouldn't be too big a deal.

Lipoly · Veteran Member

I met up w/a buddy to compare our air rifles a few weeks ago: my RWS/Diana 350, his Gamo (not sure model)...there was really no comparison. The Gamo looked and felt like a toy. Neither of us could get satisfying groups @ 20y. If you wanna go cheaper, I hear the Crossman Quest rifles are pretty good for the money...and some say come w/decent wood stock. This is the only experience I've had w/Gamo, so some may have fared better.

Mark5043 · Silver Status Member

Ditto on the Diana...whichever you choose,learn the gun inside,and out,most importantly,familiarize yourself with the upkeep,and get a routine down.... Wink

broommaster2000 · Moderator

If the budget allows it, and if your expectations are high. Why a springer and not a CO2 or a PCP? One should always ask oneself is such is not the path to take. Wink

Just mentioning them so the new guy can get to learn a bit before he buys something and finds out it's not really what he was looking for.

kanyon · Silver Status Member

LMR · Member

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

The lifespan of an air rifle can be as little as two years to thirty plus, it’s better to look at the number of shots it’s capable of. A good European springer will do 100,000 shots easily with out any serious servicing apart from a spring and seal change and then go on to another 100,000.

PCP rifles of good quality contain more parts and are more intricate so the life span will be less and possibly more services to keep it up to scratch.

Co2 I should say is in the same boat as PCPs.

Al

broommaster2000 · Moderator

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

springers are also very very hold sensitive, rws is amazing quality though. pcp are stronger then springers though, crosman usa made guns are pretty good also imo dont ask broom that though crosman disco is prob your cheapest pcp gun, the Walther is a very strong gun but it destroys scopes, and personally i would go after a Benjamin trail xl if your looking for a hunting gun that is a springer, with the Benjamin your getting roughly 26 fpe out the barrel maybe 12 fpe out of a Diana the talon *****which is the same exact gun as the falcon except without the camo and with a crappier scope, and a whole lot cheaper**** probably delivers about 28 fpe the whisper delivers about 16 fpe , fpe if you don't know is foot pound energy aka amount of energy the pellet has rule of thumb is one fpe per pound of weight on an animal, out of all these riffles though the best quality is definitely from the rws diana

Slavia · Moderator

CO2 power is convenient, but pretty much useless when it gets cold out.

Gamo's customer support is nil.

I have a CZ Slavia 631 that shoots better now than when it was new eight years ago. I also have an Anschutz-build Hakim with original powerplant parts (less seal) that's still going strong after 56 years. On the other hand, my Mendoza RM577 and Crosman G1 both needed springs early on.

Alstone makes some sense.

TimB172 · Member

I guess someone has to stand up for Gamo... My Dad has 3 Gamo rifles, his Big Cat is 2 or 3 years old and still shoots like it was brand new. His CFX Royal has a very nice stock and plenty of power. He also has the .22 shotgun that Gamo makes, can't remember what it's called, but it's not that impressive. Of course I'm kind of new to air rifles and have no experience with the other brands mentioned here, but those are my opinions on the Gamo rifles that I have been around.