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ron47 · Member

So I am thinking about picking up a NP rifle in 22cal. All the commentaries say less noise and less recoil effect. I don't want to spend a ton of $$$ (mark off those nice German made pieces). Budget around $300 points to something like the Benjamin Trail NP or a Benjamin Trail NP XL Magnum. What's the difference? Is the "Magnum" term just an advertising ploy?

Anyone suggest another brand/model in my price range that may be of higher quality?

Thanks

Slavia · Moderator

It looks like Crosman rates the Trail NP at "up to" 950 FPS with alloy pellets, and the XL is rated at "up to" 1100 FPS (both in .22). Keep in mind that those alloy pellets will the very light so that they can claim high velocities - but they may not be the smoothest or most accurate, or even be good for the gun.

I have a Titan with the nitro piston, and I can't say it's really that much quieter than my other steel coil spring guns. It's also hold sensitive (look up "artillery hold"). The nitro piston is in fact a spring - it uses the elasticity of a compressed gas instead of a steel coil. It won't have the torque effects of a coil twisting, but it will still have bidirectional recoil like any other spring gun.

Pyramydair has a good selection and will allow you to limit your search to sub-$300, .22 caliber nitro pistons. This is not an endorsement, but their site is useful:
http://www.pyramydair.com/a/BB_guns_and_pellet_guns/BB_and_pellet_rifles/1117/cat_1121/calibers_0_22/pr_0_0T300_0/sr_1/pp_10/page_1

Here is the Crosman/Benjamin link:
http://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles

ron47 · Member

Thank you sir. I figured someone here would sort the advertising from reality.
:-)

Robw · Veteran Member

With a trigger upgrade and a good scope they can be a hard hitting
and accurate airgun. They are less hold sensitive, quieter and easier to be
accurate with than a coil spring gun. They have a nicer sound too. No
buzzing twang. Just kind of a muffled thunk. They are smoother and much
nicer to shoot than even a professionally tuned coil spring gun.

I have one of these and am very pleased with it.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_Regal_NP_Air_Rifle_Combo/2838

I added a CQB scope.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-3-9X32-BugBuster-Scope-Mil-dot/dp/B005UGIMNQ/ref=sr_1_1/182-9590332-8628141?ie=UTF8&qid=1458752518&sr=8-1&keywords=utg+bug+buster+3-9x32

With quick release mounts.

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-2PCs-Grade-Picatinny-Rings/dp/B004HIHQLM/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1458752864&sr=8-6&keywords=quick+release+scope+mount

And a better trigger. Get the GTX II, not the GRT III as it is far superior.

http://www.archerairguns.com/GTX-Trigger-p/gtxtriggerkit.htm

Not to mention that they are a good looking rifle too. Here it is
all ready to go.

http://www.airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=10377

Rob.

ron47 · Member

Very nice Robw. I have a Hawke Vantage scope already on the way. Fiest I have heard of the quick-release mount setup. I assume you have to re-zero each time you remove/reinstall the scope?

Good tip on the trigger kit. Thanks.

Robw · Veteran Member

No. They hold zero very well. I was skeptical at first and was going to use
regular mounts, but decided to give these a try being as they came with the
scope at no additional cost. You just have to be sure that they are tight and
pull the scope towards the back while you tighten the levers.

Yeah, the trigger is very sweet. It is very precise and a true two stage
trigger unlike the original one that came in the gun.

Make sure that you get the .22 caliber as this powerplant has way too
much power for .177 caliber and will drive pellets over the speed of sound
destroying accuracy.

I have built 4 of these over the last few years and once setup correctly,
they never disappoint.

ron47 · Member

I found the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100 (.22) on Amazon (NEW) for $211 delivered. That's about $70 less than I saw anywhere else. Unless it's some kind of bait-N-switch, that's a deal. I assumed it was a bare rifle but the confirmation notice shows the combo package.

Figure I'll put some pellets through it with the stock trigger so the new trigger will have a point of reference.

Bob La Londe · Veteran Member

Slavia · Moderator

My best advice about the trigger is to do the research, listen to the comments, and make up your own mind. There is a raging controversy between GTR and GTX proponents. There is also a third camp that says don't spend the money at all, just throw in a couple of 10 cent washers. Or RC model bearings.

I did the equivalent of the washer mod on a Gamo, and it works. The problem is that it also has the potential to limit sear engagement to the point of being unsafe. It all depends on how much you know about this trigger's design and function.

I also did the GTR/GTX mod on a Crosman G1 and Titan. Which one did I pick? I didn 't - I made my own parts using the same geometry. (The geometry, at least, is the same in both cases.) Based on that experience either alternative would be a huge improvement over the factory setup. You get easy installation, full sear engagement, lighter pull, and an easily controllable feel. Definitely consider it.

dcw · Member

I have the Benjamin NP Trail in 22.

I have chronographed it; it does NOT come anywhere close to the claimed fps.

jeager106 · Member

dcw · Member

AirGunEric · Site Admin

The Benjamin/Crosman NP rifles in .22 caliber max out using 14.3gr pellets at around 700-720fps. The NP2's do slightly better- around 800fps in .22, the NP XL's again better, around 950fps in .22.

Anything below 680fps for the regular NP in .22 and there is a problem with something- either the seal or the strut most likely.

domer_pyle · Senior Member

Both XLs I had kicked Premiers at about 880, Polymags and HN Field Target (not Field Target Trophy) around 860, and were stupid accurate with all of those. I could shoot the top vertical twig of the pine trees that are 30 yards from my house more often than not while rested on the sill of the basement window and they claimed numerous squirrels, rabbits, and crows. But hold sensitivity is amplified in some shooting positions with such magnum springers so these days I only have my tuned Quest 1000x and two TF 89s, which are a bit touchy with their hold but they fit their intended purposes