Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Air Guns Need advice

Have a 13 year old nephew who is wanting to buy himself an air rifle with some money he has saved up. Budget is 100-150. What is out there that you would recommend.

I was considering this earlier today but I didn't buy. The scope would likely need replaced. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023339566?pid=180684

Thanks for the heads up. I will pass this along

Cheap price is no excuse for an ugly gun.

I'd look for a Hatsan 95.

A Crossman Benjamin pump up would make a good rifle. I believe I'd rather put my money it one of those than a cheaper Chinese/Spanish spring guns.

He currently has a cheap break over, I believe is a crossman but not for sure. The scope is junk.

He recently had a birthday and wants to put that money toward a better pellet rifle. I want him to be able to get something that will help him with his accuracy down the road.

I don't think I'd waste the $100-150 on a cheap break barrel. They are just not good. Bad triggers, bad springs, pistons, just all around letdown. Sounds like he already knows what a cheap rifle is like. Is there any way he could mow your lawn, or do some chores where you could match his $150 and get him an R7? That is a rifle that he could own and be proud of for his entire life.

Plan B would be to find an old Benjamin 397 or Sheridan pump rifle. They are fantastic guns that last and last. I see them at pawn shops on occasion. These are much better quality than most of the new stuff in that price range.

Returned your PM Crappie Killer.

Centershot said it best. I still shoot my Benjamin 397 even though I have 2+ safes dedicated to airguns. Easy to rebuild, last forever.

Agreed. What's a couple hundred bucks for Lifetime Quality. I hear that Weihrauch makes some good ones.

For a first airgun I'd see nothing wrong with a cheapo Chinese or Spanish gun, but since he has a cheapo already, I agree with the other and buy a German gun. For a budget gun the Beman R7 and RWS 34 are good guns.

I would also recommend a better (more $$$) rifle, but in his stated price range he isn't completely screwed:

The Hatsan 95 is a good choice, along with the other Hatsans that use the same power plant but different stocks like the 87. They make 20 ft/lbs of energy in .22 and are pretty accurate. Walnut stocks, open sights, and the Quattro trigger is a big plus. Available in steel coil spring or Vortex gas ram form. I would look for a refurb straight from Hatsan USA. Made in Turkey. Quality level is like a good pair of workboots, not like a Swiss watch. That's not an insult, I own several.

For a little less money you can also buy a Hatsan Edge. Like a 95 but plastic thumbhole and a simple trigger.

Also, if he is a big kid you could consider a Hatsan 125. I just bought a refurb for $129 and its pretty impressive. Big guns that are not easy to cock, so they really arent "plinkers". And too big for .177's IMO. They make about the same power as a .22 CB cap. That's a big deal for an airgun.

Many people like the Ruger line, and they can be had for very reasonable money from Wal-Mart (great return policy if you have an issue). Chinese copies of Diana 34's.

I don't think you'll find a used Diana 34 for 150 but if you do I would buy it on the spot. Not as powerful as a Hatsan 95, but the quality level really jumps up.

You could also look for a Cometa 94, 95 or 400 series rifle.
They are sold new by Airforce International in Texas but may be available used. I have a used 400 and it is a real peach.

Flying Dragon air rifles also imports those Rugers and similar guns. Mike Melick is a great guy to do business with and he tears down & goes through every rifle he sells before he ships it. Prices are very honest as well.

And there are a number of Crosman rifles that people like such as the Vantage, etc. They are mostly a family of nearly identical rifles and similar to basic Gamos. They are light and have lousy but improvable or replaceabke triggers. They can be handy and fun, but they are all box store cheapies really.

Oh, and keep an eye out for a Walther Terrus or Parrus.
They are discontinued and not rrally supported by Walther, but you may find leftovers in your price range. I have 2 that are very nice, but I did return one for being poorly made.
Those would be a little roll of the dice but they were made to a pretty good standard and mine are well worth $150 to me.