I was in a pawn shop the other day unloading stuff and the proprietor brought out a
rifle I thought was of foreign military surplus - It turned out to be a Chinese Model B-3
.177 cal. pellet rifle. It is like new with sticker on stock and built like a battle ship.

My only other air gun is a plain (import) Beeman springer from the early 80's.
It's a little beat-up but is a wieldy and accurate little pellet rifle, and I
have long wanted to up-grade.

Am I going in the wrong direction with this new China lead-sled?

Is that the one with the under lever? I've had one for over 20 years. I replaced the seal on the breech face with a leather disc (with a hole to let the air through). Used it a lot, kids have used it a lot and to me it is a precious thing.

From a German built springer to Chinese? IMO, yes. However if it floats your boat, have at it.

I think they are junk. Save your money and buy another Beeman or Weirauch or Dianawerks. Be Well, RZ.

Sacre Bleu!!! You can learn something everyday, read this before you use it...

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2018/03/chinese-b3-underlever-part-1/

If the warning in the link is accurate then this gun would be for attentive adults only.
The kids shoot the Daisy 880 from now on. I'll leave the German stuff for those who have grown out of the best things about air guns.

I was flamed once (by an importer of the Chinese guns) for making a statement like that on another forum, but I agree 100%

I had a friend who was an air rifle nut and he and some friends were shooting their rifles at some targets by a stream. One of them (only one) was a Chinese under lever.

One of the guys let go of the lever and it didn't have a stop and release like the RWS's they were also shooting , and it slammed down on his hand and severed one of his fingers. I think it mangled the others that it hit.

My friend threw the rifle in the river. I guess he should have thrown it in the river before they started.

I might add, that they all had been drinking beer all day. That didn't help---well I guess it might have dulled the pain.

Dulled the pain but thinned the blood. I have shot them and as above I just don't think they are worth the money just because they are cheaper. Throw it in a river, but don't pay money for it. Be Well, Rusty

I had one of the ones that resembles an SKS. Lack of an anti-beartrap scared me to death. Gave it away. Pretty crude piece.

+1 You get what you pay for when it comes to springers.

Crosman "Nitro Piston 2" (gas spring) are pretty good Chinese air rifles.
All models are basically the same rifle. You can get one for about $80.00.
They're powerful and put my weak and difficult to load B-3 to shame.

I heard it'd chop your fanger off! The B-3 that is.

I don't know. I have a Ruger Blackhawk Elite that shoots like a house afire. It's a Diana clone though.

I think the first B3 Rifles without the safety would best be destroyed. I had one and enjoyed tinkering with it (special lubes, shorten barrel, etc) and even used it for a paid for hire indoor (grocery store) bird shoot. HOWEVER, it’s not worth the loss of fingers should someone inexperienced with keeping the cocking lever always in hand while cocking AND loading get the rifle by whatever means. The finger eating non beartrap safety versions IN MY OPINION should be destroyed OR broken down for useable parts. Fingers don’t grow back!
‘Life’s too short to use and be seriously injured by a pos Chinese airgun!