robgendreau
Explorer
For all kinds of good reasons (trust me), and after talking to some folks on my last trip, I began to consider getting an air rifle to take on trips. Sheesh; it's almost as fraught a decision as arguing over tires :Wow1: (but easier than choosing a mate...).
In any case, since folks here do similar kinds of travel (and BTW I'm talking western US) I thought I'd get suggestions here. I haven't used a rifle for a bazillion years; we used to take a couple .22s out on camping trips to the CA desert all the time. Since then it's only been a shotgun, which I don't take. I want it for target shooting (casual-like), plinking, and annoying bears (ha).
Not having looked at adult air guns in a while (for work reasons I've dealt with AirSofts oriented toward kids), I am pleased to see that there are lots that profess to very quiet, which is a priority. I don't wanna pay a ton of money, since it isn't my main hobby.
So here's the criteria I'm interested in:
Quiet.
Either .177 or .22; I'm not sure which is better for this sort of use.
Scope: I see many come with scopes. Am I safe in assuming they're junk? Again, don't wanna pay tons, but would it be better to get an aftermarket air gun specific scope?
Piston? Seems to be predominating on the newer rifles over springs. Or maybe at least one that can be upgraded? Are they quieter? I'm probably not interested in CO2 or PCP (although I guess I could use the tank to air up my tires...).
Break barrel, or side or bottom pumps? The break barrel seems to predominate and would certainly give a lot of choices.
So any suggestions appreciated. Or any other stuff I should look out for (eg reliability, ability to modify after purchase, etc).
Rob
In any case, since folks here do similar kinds of travel (and BTW I'm talking western US) I thought I'd get suggestions here. I haven't used a rifle for a bazillion years; we used to take a couple .22s out on camping trips to the CA desert all the time. Since then it's only been a shotgun, which I don't take. I want it for target shooting (casual-like), plinking, and annoying bears (ha).
Not having looked at adult air guns in a while (for work reasons I've dealt with AirSofts oriented toward kids), I am pleased to see that there are lots that profess to very quiet, which is a priority. I don't wanna pay a ton of money, since it isn't my main hobby.
So here's the criteria I'm interested in:
Quiet.
Either .177 or .22; I'm not sure which is better for this sort of use.
Scope: I see many come with scopes. Am I safe in assuming they're junk? Again, don't wanna pay tons, but would it be better to get an aftermarket air gun specific scope?
Piston? Seems to be predominating on the newer rifles over springs. Or maybe at least one that can be upgraded? Are they quieter? I'm probably not interested in CO2 or PCP (although I guess I could use the tank to air up my tires...).
Break barrel, or side or bottom pumps? The break barrel seems to predominate and would certainly give a lot of choices.
So any suggestions appreciated. Or any other stuff I should look out for (eg reliability, ability to modify after purchase, etc).
Rob