177 air rifle recommendation?

[tiny68]

My youngest is turning 11 in a few weeks. He wants a decent air rifle. He can cock big brothers RWS that is 1200 fps. However the quality and accuracy of the RWS Hammerli (I forgot what he had) was a disappointment. It was a $130 gun we got at Sportsmans Warehouse.

Are the Gamo decent quality? I realize that you get what you paid for. Any suggestions? Will be used for plinking out the house. Thanks, Tim

 

[RIng]

PM sent Rick

 

[Outrider27]

At their price point, the Gamo .177s are decent quality. The Gamo I shoot (belongs to a buddy) won't hold a candle to my Daystate, but the Gamo didn't cost anywhere near $850 either, more like $130 on sale.

In spring guns I prefer a sidelever or underlever rifle to a breakbarrel design (just a personal thing, plus no worries in the long term about barrel droop if you scope it). Both my high end sporter (RWS Diana 52 sidelever, price in the "ouch" range) and bargain sporter (old Tech Force 99 underlever, priced in the Gamo range) are full sized (8-9lb range), loud and accurate by sporter standards. Like .22 rinfires, .177 and .22 air rifles will often show a preference for certain brands and weights of pellets. For a look at whats available from low priced to way beyond "ouch", and for good info in their online videos and blogs, check out Pyramydair.

http://www.pyramydair.com/

 

[GSPV]

Benjamin Marauder.

Screw the 177. Get him the 25 cal.

Google "Varmint Al 25 Marauder"

 

[tiny68]

I guess I should have added to price limits and style. I pump or spring is a must. No pre-charged. I want if to be able to go out and shoot a 100 pellets at targets if he chooses. I think "light" is critical as well. Thanks for the ideas. Tim

 

[Beau]

The best air gun I've ever had that wasn't PC was a Sheridan Blue Streak in 5mm. Very accurate and hits pretty hard.

The springers are OK, but the more powerful they are, the harder they are to shoot well due to all that flopping around of the piston.

It's a little on the large side, but is easy for a kid to shoot from a fence post or whatever hasty rest. Pumping it is good exercise too.

Every gun other gun I've seen in the big box stores has been a POS.

 

[truman]

check out the daisy 835 rebuilds on cmp website. (odcmp.com) these are jrotc returns. cmp takes them apart, cleans, replaces worn/broken parts, then puts new seals on them. chronos for spec. ships them with new rear sight, front inserts, sling and 3 spaces for length. they have walther barrels and either straight or monte carlo stocks. right around $100 plus shipping. first class shooters for beginners.

 

[stacy]

I like the gamo for the money I hunt with a older model 440 1000fps with good results

 

[MrMajestic]

Many people don't understand that a Springer requires an Artillery hold to wring out accuracy.
I'll second the Benjamin pump for a beginner. They hit real hard to in 5mm! Pigeons are no match at barn ranges.

 

[bdale]

I have a Gamo CFR, It is a under lever cocking style shoots ok I guess they are like any gun they will like some pellets over others buy several kind and see what shoots the best. Mine was supposed to shoot at 1000FPS but when I chronograph it was only getting about 875FPS I think they over rate them also the alloy pellets don't give much speed as advertised. Mine will shoot around 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups at 35 yards. Buy the way the CFR is a fixed barrel didn't like the idea of break barrel for accuracy reasons.

 

[chevytruck_83]

air arms TX 200 is a beautiful gun. pricey but one of the most accurate underlever pellet guns made. there are knock offs around for much cheaper. do make sure he will be able to comfortably cock it first before u buy. a lot of the single pump/lever styles are rather hard for a youngster. p.s. look at pyramid air. com

 

[longbow]

The FWB 300S is by far thee most accurate and they are recoilless. Easy to mount a scope.

 

[tmwinds]

I would look at a Weihrauch HW 30 in .177. Krale Shooting located in the Netherlands has them in stock for $295 plus shipping. Even after paying the shipping this is less than you will pay elsewhere. This is a great quality springer that will hold its value and lasts a lifetime. I own one along with 14 other springers.
Also no taxes.

 

[pfiori]

I will second the Dailey 835 rebuild from the CMP and also suggest that you look into CMP sporter activity in your area. The CMP programs are a great way for him to learn good marksmanship and competitive shooting along with putting the kids on a path that can lead to a college scholarship and beyond.

 

[Herzo]

I will second the Dailey 835 rebuild from the CMP and also suggest that you look into CMP sporter activity in your area. The CMP programs are a great way for him to learn good marksmanship and competitive shooting along with putting the kids on a path that can lead to a college scholarship and beyond.

Third vote for the Daisy 835. Amazingly accurate. ~600 fps. Trigger can be tuned relatively easily.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Second tmwinds. Hw 30 has a Reckford trigger. Better than 95 percent of centerfire triggers. I think it weighs just under 6 lbs. Very accurate. Forget Gammo, Daisy and such. As a group junk triggers. HW 30 is extremely accurate. Easy to scope.

 

[Savage243]

I'll add a 4th vote for the Daisy 853 and finding a local 4-H or other Junior shooting club. Though it ended up costing my dad a lot more money than the cost of the Daisy with a precision air rifle, gear, and hauling my butt around the country to compete, college cost he and I $0.

 

[dgeesaman]

I hope you guys realize the OPs son is now 21 and has hopefully had that air rifle for 11 years.

 

[wildcatter]

Lots has changed in 11 years! Barrel droop, plenty of mounts to negate that. better pellets, and springers are just that, and today most know how to use them, and shoot them correctly.

I think today most know that 1200 fps the OP spoke of is as useless as shooting sabots in 17 Remington! Light lead free pellets that are not capable of real life pesting outside 15 yards to get those ridiculous velocities are not what most want on this forum. Most reputable companies don't quote such ridiculous Springer evaluation. double the weight with lead pellets and thats a 950 fps gun that is worth shooting.

Finally anything Weihrauch Diana Air arms are where I would spend my money today! Like firearms, when you buy even the lower end quality air guns, its more of an investment. I bought a used Model 34 T05 Diana a week ago, not knowing if it was wore out or what. But any of those brands and $120.00 makes them new with seals and spring, as well as better than new in operation. Most will end up being worth handing down when the time comes. But if not easily recover most of your money on those three brands of springer.

And yes the entry level guns from those manufacturers are worth owning, day 1 with the $250.00 dollar used Mod 34 after a new spring and seal, it didnt need the seal, but now its new!


Just for those that might want a entry level springer today, 11 years later!