Sold my Sheridan C Series 5mm pumper here many years ago, and have been out of the air gun business since then.
I've been looking again lately. Looked over the springer/gas piston offerings from Diana, Benjamin, Hatsan, and maybe a few others.
Just want something fun/cheap to shoot around the house, capable of small game out to 40 yards or so.
I'm liking everything about the Diana RWS 460 Magnum.
The Benjamin Trail NP, and the Hatsan 125 Sniper Vortex QE drew some interest, but they both seem awfully heavy, and the Hatsan is not easy to look at.
I went with the Sig Sauer ASP20 synthetic in 22 cal (pre-order). It checked all the boxes for me, except it's not in stock yet. Estimated in stock date is 11/9, so we'll see if Sig can produce enough to keep up.
I went with the Sig Sauer ASP20 synthetic in 22 cal (pre-order). It checked all the boxes for me, except it's not in stock yet. Estimated in stock date is 11/9, so we'll see if Sig can produce enough to keep up.
I went with the Sig Sauer ASP20 synthetic in 22 cal (pre-order). It checked all the boxes for me, except it's not in stock yet. Estimated in stock date is 11/9, so we'll see if Sig can produce enough to keep up.
I went with the Sig Sauer ASP20 synthetic in 22 cal (pre-order). It checked all the boxes for me, except it's not in stock yet. Estimated in stock date is 11/9, so we'll see if Sig can produce enough to keep up.
If it ever ships, I'm going to slap a SWFA 6x42 on it and see what happens.
Hope you get yours sooner than later.
I spoke to Airgun Depot today. Asked about accuracy of pre-order estimated arrival dates. I asked if they were close, or could extend by weeks or months. They would only tell me that they are running behind, and supply cannot meet demand.
Yeah, they handle like a Garand, but - last year before Christmas, Crosman was shipping these things for under $100 each total. I played with the 22 and .177 versions. both were powerful and accurate.
I went with the Sig Sauer ASP20 synthetic in 22 cal (pre-order). It checked all the boxes for me, except it's not in stock yet. Estimated in stock date is 11/9, so we'll see if Sig can produce enough to keep up.
If it ever ships, I'm going to slap a SWFA 6x42 on it and see what happens.
Hope you get yours sooner than later.
I spoke to Airgun Depot today. Asked about accuracy of pre-order estimated arrival dates. I asked if they were close, or could extend by weeks or months. They would only tell me that they are running behind, and supply cannot meet demand.
I figured and that’s why I ordered from a store with a bigger presence like Pyramid. I’m not in a hurry.
Spend a little extra the first time and get a Beeman R9. Trigger is better, smoothness of the actions is better, smoothness of the shot is better, quality of workmanship is outstanding. All adds up to a rifle that you will be proud to own and enjoy shooting. Well worth saving a little longer for.
Plenty of power for bigger vermin.
One other thing I might add is to be careful about getting caught up in 'Magnum' spring air rifles. What it really means is that your rifle will very likely be big, heavy, twangy and difficult to shoot well.
Last edited by centershot; 10/28/20.
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
I'm looking for a .22, but kind of torn between something with a little class (RWS, Diana, Beeman), and a nasty pellet bitch (Hatsan 125) that is fun to blast things with.
Everything. Seriously. They are in every way a better rifle. Fit, Finish, Trigger, Spring Mechanism, Lock Mechanism, Accuracy, Noise, Vibration after the shot. All of which also reflects in the cost. I have owned an RWS 46, and couple 34's. While they are decent and a big step above any of the Chinese spring air rifles they are still not up to the level of the Beemans. Now I am talking about the R series Beemans here as they have some Chinese imports also. Stay away from those. The R7 and R9 are Classics and not by accident. They have been around for years and years and are built to last a lifetime. There are other fine spring air rifles but these are the ones that the others are judged by.
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
Magnum Air Rifles are like super fast bows. Difficult to shoot consistently, noisy and just not as fun to shoot. I own an R7 and an R9. The R9 goes when hunting is involved, the R7 everything else. It's not a heavy duty killer but so dang accurate that shooting grasshoppers and hornets are ridiculously fun. I also have a Benjamin pump rifle that I have had for 40 years. Great rifle but I can shoot the springers 5-6X more with less effort and less game spooking pumping.
I would say that if a pellet rifle that shoots like a .22lr is what you are after then you should be looking at PCP's.
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
I've looked into the PCP side of the house, but not interested. Too much logistics for my taste.
I liked the simplicity of my old Sheridan 5mm, and if I getting another air rifle I want it to be simple also. But one stroke of the barrel beats 8-10 pumps with the Sheridan, so I'm looking for something break-barrel, or underlever. I like the looks of the Diana 460, but the regular break barrel looks easier to load, especially with cold hands.
RWS 3500 doesn't look bad to me either. More of a classic look, with a nice comb for optics.
Centershot is 100% - I’ve had....HAD RWS. Not bad. Powerful accurate. Trigger inferior. Heavy vibration. Shoot ability greatly inhibits realized accuracy. An R9 like the old 124’s made by the same German company Weihrauch.
Basically like a Chevy vs Mercedes. You can’t put a price on the difference in quality. It’s worth it and resale is solid IF you ever wanted to sell.
Weihrauch / Beeman - R series are the gold standard and one heck of a value.
Exactly what Centershot has been saying. Beeman R9 or HW 95. Pretty much the same gun. Your Great, Great Grandkids will thank you. Anything else, your kids may be thanking you.
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/CESvOjn.jpg)
