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SMP · Silver Status Member

Hi all
I would like to draw on everyones wealth of experience on buying my wifes first air rifle.

Every evening my mrs joins me for an hour of paper punching. However tonight as I was trying to teach her some match hold techniques it became really obvious that my phantom is just way too big and too heavy for her. I have the stock weighted to shift the balance point just ahead of the trigger. She was standing there with the butt under her armpit, hold arm twisted into some crazy Z shape, her cheek was at least an inch above the comb...and she was looking at me like she was about to rip me a new one and shove the rifle in for good measure

She is petite, 5'4" , 114lbs. And quite strong.

I would like to get her something in the same range as the phantom. wood stocked so it can be tailored to her and some form of non optical sight....and accurate enough she can shoot a better score than me Wink

I would like to get it from scopesandammo because he is my local dealer and I like to support independents

farrlarr · Member

I don't know about availability from your desired source but I would suggest a Tech Force 78 (QB 78 is the same gun). Several reasons for the suggestion: (1) It is wood stocked and has a relatively short pull length out of the box; (2) It is CO2 so she doesn't have to deal with cocking a break barrel; (3) It is solid, but not really all that heavy, and well-balanced; (4) It is quite accurate; (5) There is no recoil, which will be an issue in a springer; (6) The gun is not hold-sensitive at all; (7) The receiver is grooved for mounting whatever kind of additional sight you wish, although the fiber optic front/rear sights are pretty good. All in all, a good choice for a first gun for a small woman.

donec · Senior Member

My wife is a small woman also and she is able to us the Tech Force 58. It is a side lever and is not very heavy nor is it very long. Another option would be A Daisy Powerline 953 TargetPro it is a Single-stroke pneumatic, very accurate and 6.4lbs for about $72.

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

I have a QB78 (Tech force 78) which my wife uses when she wants to take the Pi$$ out of my shooting, so I would agree about their suitability for a lady to shoot. the only thing is whether you like Co2

Al

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

I just think between the 58 and 78 is, which power source do you want to run under? CO2 is nice because you don't have as heavy a rifle with a big spring, but is very temperature sensitive, or a heavy rifle that will shoot any time you want. Personally I like CO2, but I also have several springers too. It's just what she wants between the two as her go-to gun.

Crosman140 · Senior Member

My first thought goes to a crosman 1377 with a 1399 shoulder stock. It's ultra light weight and very accurate. Add a red dot sight or a scope.

Or, this Crosman Backpacker, which is basically what I described above, but already put together.

Here is a link to your website you mentioned showing the gun.
http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/product_info.php?cPath=25_40&products_id=43

Also, there is a small break barrel rifle that is made more for youth sized people. The Crosman Raven.
http://crosman.com/airguns/rifles/break-barrel/CY6M77

SMP · Silver Status Member

Thanks for the suggestions

Unfortunately I can't find a distributer for Tech Force anything, did I mention I'm Canadian Eh! Very Happy

I really do like the look of the 58. I'm jealous that I can't find one.

Oh and my other caveat is I'd rather not be tied to C02 as we live an hour from anywhere. And I remember as a kid having a Mark 2 Co2 in 22 cal that I couldn't use in the winter because it was too cold

farrlarr · Member

[quote="SMP"]Thanks for the suggestions

Unfortunately I can't find a distributer for Tech Force anything, did I mention I'm Canadian Eh! Very Happy

Both Pyramyd Air

http://www.pyramydair.com/

and Archer Airguns

http://www.archerairguns.com/

are sources for TF/QB airguns. (I am not associated in any way with either company.) Given that the TF78 is listed at 700 fps and the break barrel and side lever guns are listed at even higher velocities, you may have some problems ordering them (I know there are restrictions in Canada but do not remember what those restrictions are).

I finally checked in Scopes and Ammo and they list the QB78D as a product they carry. Just click on the Air Rifles link and it is near the bottom of the page.

Dukemeister · Member

You want a light rifle with a short pull. I'd reccomend a HW30S available from the good folks at SSSO. You don't mention if your Phantom is a PAL or non-PAL, but the HW30S is available in both formats for your shooting pleasure. Also sold as the Beeman R7, the HW30S is one of the most highly acclimed low-mid powered springers available.
http://www.specialtyshootingsportsoutdoors.com/store/air-gun/rifles/weihrauch/weihrauch-hw30s-177-cal/prod_119.html

SMP · Silver Status Member

Thanks Dukemeister thats a great link.

The Phantom was Non pal and then I PAL'd it. which is not a problem just a quick phone call and a stop at the local station.

Neither Pyramid nor Archer will ship a rifle to a canadian address. In fact it's plastered on every QB rifle on the Archer site. "Available in the USA only" I will contact scopes and ammo to see if he can get the 58 as I really don't want to go C02. they just don't work here 5 months of the year.

Buying and using an Air rifle over 500fps in canada is not a problem as long as you have a PAL , and I do. However bringing any firearm into the country is a bloody nightmare.
Years ago a friend of mine had a custom over/under trap gun made in the US and when he tried to bring it back it took months.

bones · Member

You can always let her pick out a gun she likes then take it to a gunsmith and have stock cut down to fit her. i did that on a shotgun for my X so she could go deer hunting with me.

jlwilliams · Veteran Member

One of the QB58 side levers would be good. http://www.archerairguns.com/QB58-Chinese-Air-Rifle-p/qb58.htm Light weight, not too hard to cock.

You should really re-consider the CO2. If you buy them mail order you can get the big box and you won't run out. You are right about CO2 not being the best thing in the winter, but how much outdoor shooting is she likely to do in the winter? If it's warm enough to be on the porch without a winter jacket, the CO2 will work OK. Even when it's too cool to get the maximum power out of the gas, it's still got enough punch to tip over a soda can or punch a paper plate. If you don't need to kill a badger, who cares if you have maximum power.

The ease of CO2 really makes it a favorite for the casual shooter. Once its loaded it's as easy as a bolt action 22, without the annoying "bang" every time you pull the trigger.

I got the QB79 (same as the 78, but uses a paintball tank) and I love it. I've even started doing a few mods to it to get better performance. Trigger tuning, porting. That sort of stuff. The gun with the tank weighs very little and it's just a pleasure to shoot.

SMP · Silver Status Member

I really do like the looks and spec on the QB 58. But I need to find it in Canada because Archer air guns will not sell to a canadian address or credit card.

On the subject of temperature. We go out shooting every afternoon. It dropped below freezing in October, in January it hovered in the -20's (MINUS twenty something) and we were out every afternoon. CO2 at these temps has a pressure of about 120psi and because its a compressed gas it will get colder with every shot. From experience with the Mark, I can say thats about three shots from a full cartridge.

I know this sounds ridiculous but thats life where I live. And like a lot of crazy canadians we slap on a toque and keep on having fun.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

Crosman 2289... Here's a link to a Canook dealer...

http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/product_info.php?cPath=25_40&products_id=43

donec · Senior Member

The Crosman Raven.
http://crosman.com/airguns/rifles/break-barrel/CY6M77

We bought a Raven and returned it because it felt very cheap and did not shoot accurately.