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+---- Thread: Low cost air rifle (/showthread.php?tid=6824)
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Low cost air rifle - Lightspeed - 22 April 2014
I was reading up on PCP air rifles last night. They are very quiet and have minimal recoil, apparently making the rather easy to shoot accurately.
I have misgivings over the complexity of these guns, in particular the re-charging of the air cylinder by a compressed air cylinder, or stirrup pump. But a much trusted friend in of the survivalist persuasion absolutely swears by them.
And then I found that an outdated rifle made by Crosman of USA is still available for pocket money. Its the Crosman 2100. Its real bargain basement stuff with nasty plastic components. But the important bits are all steel. Review after review show these rifles to be extremely resilient and long lived. Not the most powerful of guns, but good for ratting and taking birds.
This article is quite intriguing: http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blog/2010/09/one-man%E2%80%99s-tale-of-survival-with-the-crosman-2100.html
I'm seriously considering getting one. Quiet plinking n the yard, and as a decoy for the better rifles we own.
Has anyone on here shot one of these? What are they like?
RE: Low cost air rifle - Scythe13 - 22 April 2014
It's a handle pump. So the base of the foregrip will come down and you have to pump it up. Personally, I'm not a fan of the PCP, but simply because it removed the marksmanship element, because they are so easy to shoot. As a tool for ratting...very good.
There are some pump pistols PCP that can take rats out. I'll have a check if you want.
RE: Low cost air rifle - Lightspeed - 22 April 2014
It was your review of your ratting CO2 gun that got me thinking in this direction again.
Crosman make a very nice PCP pistol called the Marauder... but rather expensive for a plinking gun and again with big reliance on external air sources.
Thoughts on the 2100 are that it needs to be an accurate, low powered tool with good resiliance to mistreatment, and long component life expectancy. The fact that it'll fire bbs as well as pellets is interesting, but not critical to us as we're standardised on pellets, which are more accurate anyway.
RE: Low cost air rifle - Mortblanc - 22 April 2014
I have owned Crossman pump rifles of one kind or another since 1962. Have one in the storage room right now. Not the 2100, but its little brother.
I owned a 2100 for years and gave several away as gifts to young and old alike. Mostly with the intent on target practice or small pest control.
They are a good durable standard pump gun at a reasonable price.
Nice thing about the BB capability is that if you want cheap practice you can not beat BBs and a trap. You can recycle your target ammo forever. The trap can be a wooden box stuffed with paper.
The normal considerations apply to the 2100. Speed of pumping may change compression due to heat, loss of pressure if the shot is not taken in a reasonable time...
RE: Low cost air rifle - Scythe13 - 22 April 2014
If you're using it in the same way I'd use my Ratty, then it would be a worthwhile purchase.
Have you thought about a Webley Rebel .22?
RE: Low cost air rifle - Lightspeed - 22 April 2014
Thanks MB, feedback from the market the gun was designed for is perfect.
The price I can pick one up for makes it a no brainer, even if just to hold as a barter item.
It's got a use in the here and now, and is compatible with our pellet stores for the long term.
Cheers
RE: Low cost air rifle - Steve - 22 April 2014
Interesting article LS, I would be wary about those Beeman Crow Magnum pellets though, I've tried them in a few rifles and never got decent accuracy with them. In bright conditions I've been able to watch them "corkscrewing" through the air.
RE: Low cost air rifle - Lightspeed - 22 April 2014
Thanks Steve,
I'll let you know if I get one.
Pressure of work and conflicting priorities here at the house mean that I have still not tried the pellets you recommended on the .177
I suspect that they will fix the problem I was having, This will mean replacement of the entire .177 cache, so the Crossman will not go short of pellets:-)
RE: Low cost air rifle - Scythe13 - 23 April 2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtsED4OeBx4
That might help with the pellet selection.
RE: Low cost air rifle - Scythe13 - 23 April 2014
Hold your purchases LS. I have a possibility....http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/375241b166b0755798000379/Gamo+Whisper+X+-a-8-f-322+Standard+Barrel/
It's apparently REALLY quiet.
Might get one soon and try it out. Will tell you what I think.
http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/375241b166b0755798000379/Gamo+Whisper+X+-a-8-f-322+Standard+Barrel/