My mom wants to get my dad a good air gun in the above price range. A combo with optics would be ideal, but I have no idea what to look for. Looking for something to harass the many neighborhood pests always attacking his garden.

I would recommend this rifle.

http://www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/benjamin-trail-np2-hardwood-22

Plenty of power, decent scope, and excellent reviews.

And in your price range.

The best cheap springer is an RWS M-34. They come in a variety of configurations. German made, nice quality gun with a decent trigger. Much better than the Gamo's or other Chinese nock offs. pyramidair.com is a good place to look. IF you want a pump up gun (still a great option and power adjustable) the good old Benjamin is still a top contender.

I have a Weihrauch HW30s. Not the most powerful one, but there is a 50 version that can whack further. Break barrel springer and very accurate. I know pyramidair.com had some scoped combos too. Both would be in the price range.

I picked the HW30s for being a little quieter and no need to shoot pests too far out in our small yard.
Very nice adjustable trigger too

If you keep it under 950fps, you should not get the subsonic crack from pellets. Don't discount .22cal either, they take down critters well. Pyramid has some great deals, scopes included sub $300.00. Pay for the mount and test service so you know it arrives ready to go (good mount is probably $30 as well).

Happy plinking!

If I was starting from zero I'd get an RWS 34 .22cal.

I have a 34. Can you buy a 22 cal barrel for it? If so, where?
Tks,
John

I don't know of a rebarrel for the RWS 34 but they are available as .177 or .22 new.

A Beeman R9 (also known as Weihrauch HW95) would be the best airgun you could get if you ask me.

http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Weihrauch.htm#WeihrauchHW95
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/blog/2015/11/weihrauch-hw95.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyF-k91Ivm8

I have had good luck with scopes from Hawke on my air rifles... http://www.hawkeoptics.com/vantage-2-7x32-ao-mil-dot.html
Sportsmatch make good rings... http://www.sportsmatch-uk.com/air-rifle-rimfire-rifle-1inch


Regards, Mike

That's the Winner, Mike!

For a springer, Mike nailed it. At the top of your spending limit, $299 on sale right now, it's an heirloom quality gun that'll be passed down to your kids someday. If I didn't already have an HW50S I'd buy one.

Yeah! don't think you can get anything better in this price range.
My BSA Lightning was more expensive than the HW95 here in Sweden, but a lot "sheeper" in quality.


If you need something for the pests you could maybe consider the .25 cal version of the Hw95.


Regards, Mike