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Education / Training A fresh look at the Beeman R9 – Part 1

A fresh look at the Beeman R9 – Part 1

by B.B. Pelletier
Testing and photos by Earl “Mac” McDonald


Beeman R9 Elite Series Combo is a good-looking spring rifle.

For those who have enjoyed the fine work done by Mac while I was in the hospital, there’s good news. He’ll continue to test some of the guns for us for a while. Right now, he’s testing a group of springers for me, and today we’ll begin with a look at the Beeman R9 Elite Series.

History
The R9 is an evolutionary spring rifle that descended from the Beeman R10. The R10 was billed as the “Son of the R1” by Dr. Beeman and was a breakbarrel that reproduced the factory power of the R1 while being significantly lighter and therefore handier. The R1 is a huge rifle, and many people welcomed the loss of a couple pounds of weight in a 1,000 f.p.s. breakbarrel.

Of course, I’m talking about the time (1986-1995) when 1,000 f.p.s. was new and novel and not available in every new design that hit the market. The main difference between the R1 and R10, besides the size, was the fact that the R10 came to you pretty hot. Tuning couldn’t draw much more from it, where the R1 was the building block for much more powerful air rifles.

But the R10 was expensive to produce. The tubing diameter was thinner than the R1’s tube, making machining more critical. So, Weihrauch sought to simplify the design to make it easier to produce. Also, many R10s were very buzzy and ragged because the gun was so close to its maximum. In the rifle that followed, some performance was sacrificed for smoothness. Enter the R9.

The R9 has thin-wall tubing and doesn’t use the same threaded end cap of the other R-series rifles. Instead, the end cap slides inside the tube and is held by four special tabbed pins. It makes powerplant disassembly quite different from the R1.


This end view shows the thin R9 mainspring tube.

Don’t crush the tube
The thin tube causes shooters to take one precaution that isn’t required on other R-series rifles. If you tighten the scope bases too tight, you’ll temporarily squeeze the tube into an oval. (BKL scope mounts aren’t recommended). This becomes apparent when you cock the rifle and can feel the mainspring bumping past the oval section as each coil slides by. I’ve done this in the past, and Mac experienced it during this test. This isn’t permanent, though. Loosen the clamps, and the tube springs back to round. But there are three vertical holes on top of the spring tube for a positive scope stop, so this should never be a problem.

The evaluation
Mac tested the Beeman R9 Elite Series Combo, which is the rifle that comes mounted with a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40AO wide-angle scope in Sportsmatch rings. He got one that had the 10 for $10 testing. When I do the velocity report, we’ll compare Pyramyd Air’s numbers to Mac’s. He noticed that the Sportsmatch rings on the gun he’s testing are different than the rings pictured on the PA website. Those look like Leapers rings. We’ve asked Pyramyd AIR to look into it and update their images if the mounts are different for the guns they currently have in stock.

The rifle with scope weighs around 9 lbs. or about what an R1 weighs without sights. And speaking of sights, the R9 doesn’t come with them any more so the scope is needed. There’s no easy way to mount open sights on this gun. The muzzlebrake would have to be removed, and you’d have to find a way to attach the front sight to the barrel. Not an easy proposition! There are no provisions for a rear sight, so don’t buy the rifle if open sights are important to you.

The overall length of the rifle is 42.75 inches with a barrel of 16.50 inches. That includes the length of the muzzlebrake. The pull is a manly 14.50 inches.

The stock is evenly finished, allowing the beech grain to show. The checkering is now pressed instead of cut. The metal is deeply blued with no flaws.

The shape of the stock makes the rifle fully ambidextrous. There’s no cheekpiece on either side.


No cheekpiece makes the R9 completely ambidextrous.

Firing behavior is dead calm. Mac says it feels like a tuned action. No twang or buzz, just a solid stop. The Rekord trigger breaks as crisply as ever, which is to say like a glass rod.

Beeman plated both the aluminum trigger blade and the adjustment screw behind it with gold. That contrasts well with the rest of the finish.

Overall, Mac likes the new R9. The main changes from the past are the lack of open sights and the pressed checkering instead of cut. Next, we’ll report velocity.

88 thoughts on “A fresh look at the Beeman R9 – Part 1”

  1. Rikib WHERE ARE YOU? 🙂 We already lost Ryan! We have to save private Ryan! 😉 Beeman -we here don t have that gun brand name just like we have diana that is in fact RWS in Amerika Dynamit-Nobel thingy

  2. C-S
    I’m still here! I have been looking at scopes or lasers for my pistol. Have not decided yet. I have a red dot, but I bought cheap and quality was cheap 😉 . My fault.

    rikib

  3. Rikib i have removed my gamo 4 x 32 scope from 34 ,i don t know every now and then i have to ajust scope and finaly i snap 🙂 i am going for mechanical sights for now

    • C-S
      I’m just looking at my options right now. I have more than enough room to shoot outdoors (fortunately). Climate is good for CO2, running in the mid to high 90’s. Some of my problem is that I switch between wearing contact lens and wearing Rx glasses (there is a difference). There seems to be a lot of opinions about scopes and mounting depending on gun.

      rikib

  4. I have to buy pellet trap couse my basement is my “main” shooting area -10 m and i have already destroyed my improvised pellet trap(wood board i found 🙂 )

    • C-S
      We definitely have the humidity and mosquitoes and gnats, etc. down here in the south eastern USA. Sometimes lately it has been so bad that as soon as you walk out of the house it feels that your clothes start sticking to you.

      rikib

  5. Rikib HERE IS THE SAME THING!Continental Croatia have climate that is at the summer warmer then see sade part of Croatia and it is HOT !We are suranded with water so mosquitoes loves that!

  6. Hi BB:
    A stunning rifle that rings all my ‘Springer’ bells.
    Just one question though.
    What is the connection between ‘Beeman’ and ‘Weihrauch’?
    Cheers,
    DaveUK

    • DaveUK,

      Beeman is an importer. They don’t manufacture anything but are/were marketing geniuses. Weihrauch would build the gun and put beemans name and model number on the gun. Although beeman didn’t manufacture they did create specs for weihrauch guns that were cosmetically different than the weihrauch labeled guns.

      kevin

  7. Interesting that .177 and the .22 are the same price but the .20 is $25 more than the .22. Must be a volume thing?

    Maybe, had I started out with something like this, I wouldn’t have gone over to the PCP or as some are calling it the dark side. I saw Paul Capella shoot a TX200 last night. Hmmm….!? (@#$@#*)
    -CJr

    • If you want laser precision then go PCP, the extra cost tends to put people off though. I bought one in January after 16 months of an RWS 350 and appreciate the lighter weight, no recoil, and incredible accuracy.

      If you want accuracy in a springer then I recommend a good quality underlever like the TX200 mkIII. Breakbarrel has a disadvantage with a scope because the barrel isn’t fixed to the main tube. If you choose a breakbarrel then consider open sights only as they are mounted directly to the barrel.

  8. Had some time this morning to catch up on the blog. One thing has become very clear and evident. Friends like Mac are hard to find during a lifetime of searching.

    The beeman “elite” R9 (weihrauch’s HW95) appears to be a relabeled “double gold”. Wonderful to hear that the quality inside the gun hasn’t been sacrificed.

    kevin

  9. Well, howdy hey Kevin and all,

    I too, just had a little time to catch up on reading. I totally agree that Mac is a fine example of how good friends can be. Thank you sir, for helping our common friends Tom and Edith.

    A tuned down R-9 might make it into my stable someday, get it down to 700fps with an 8.4 JSB and I MIGHT enjoy shooting it:-) It’s hard to go back from the “Dark” side of the PCP world… Those Marauders are amazing for the money, Bob is really doing well with his .22 cal hunting rig, shooting field target! He has shot a 42/50 with it. One should really consider this PCP when thinking about a new rifle.

    In the Field Target world, it seems to take a long time to get yourself, your gun, your scope, your scope marks, and your wind doping ability all lined up and functioning at one time.
    I’m getting closer with USFT# 6, an older BSA 10-50×60 with mildots, weighed CPH 10.5, and two years of pretty steady practice and contests now.

    Two weeks after our club held a regional west coast match, where some of the top west coast shooters came, and the top scores were 45/50 to 48/50, and I shot 40/50 & 41/50, I shot a fun shoot with my friend Bob. It was relaxing without the duty of running the match, and I fell into a groove. Only missed one shot on Saturday for a 49/50 and two shots on Sunday for a 48/50. Focusing and having ones mind on the game, is another factor:-)

    And you thought I stopped by to say hello, but I was just coming by to brag… Oh well, that’s part of the game too:-) at least part of My game:-) sorry folks..

    Also, this can give hope to those starting out, to keep at it and find the equipment that fits you and can get the job done.

    Wacky Wayne,
    Match Director,
    Ashland Air Rifle Range

    • Hey Wayne!

      Wow! You’re getting dialed in. 49/50 is fantastic. In the zone. I’ve been an infrequent lurker on the ft forum and your enthusiasm makes me smile.

      Although I’ve greatly thinned my collection of springers I can’t imagine being without the remaining few. It’s boring to shoot pcp’s under 30 yards. I’ve got a target set up at 25 yards and it’s so easy to grab a springer, a few pellets and shoot for a couple minutes. Stress reliever.

      Had an R9. Sold it and kept the R7 and R8’s. I’ll never sell the Paul Watts tuned R8. At my altitude it performs like I imagine a well tuned R7 would at your elevation. Just a dream to shoot.

      kevin

    • Wayne,
      Your shooting scores are, indeed, something to brag about. Something I can aspire to attain, but I’m still wallowing in the quagmire of 10 meter perfection. Unfortunately my Marauder is .22 so she can’t participate. I would love to come out some day and shoot your range but I think I have a better chance of shooting in Croatia-Serbia’s basement than making it to your corner of the world.
      -CJr

      • CJr,

        My friend and shootin Buddy Bob, has started the FT games with his hunting rig a .22 cal Marauder. He bought my cherry wood FT stock that Peter made for me, for it, and he really likes it now. He had shot his first six matches with a hunting scope that didn’t focus down to 10 yards on high power, so he lost his mildot settings on all close shots. I’m trading him a Centerpoint 8-32×56 for reloading ammo for me. His scores will jump to 95% plus real fast.

        Anyway, even with that crummy scope he’s been using, he’s shooting 75% on a regular basis, and has made all the shots on the course, just not in one match… yet..

        So, my friend, let not your .22 cal rifle stop you. Just tune it down to about 750fps with 14.3gr and your under the 20fpe and ready to play!

        Bob, blows me away how he can put a .22 cal pellet through a .375 hole at 16 yards, if you nick the side of the steel plate, it probably won’t fall. When he knows his holdover dots, he’s very good! The weeks to come … me thinks, will find him and I tied… and/or, me loosing more.. and that’s a good thing for our team:-).. “The Jefferson State Shooters”.. all done with a .22 cal hunting rig, at 25% the cost of my USFT! HHHMMMM..

        Wacky Wayne,
        Match Director,
        Ashland Air Rifle Range

    • Wayne: Wow, those are some fine scores! That course of yours looks pretty diabolocal in Tony’s photos. I’m amazed that you had time to shoot the matches at all between all the match directing and good hospitality. In addition to the relaxation and focus factors, I bet your recent results also say something about the toughness of the one-shot-per-target setup. As a caveman holdover monkey who does lazy, imprecise rangefinding, I’m pretty sure I get a big boost from the second shot on a target.

      Every time I read about one of your Ashland shoots, it kills me to be on the opposite coast. I’ll make it one of these days. It’s 2010! Where is my affordable hypersonic transport? The jetpacks and hover-cars?!?

      Talk about that Dark Side, I just ordered a Marauder to keep my Disco company. I hand-wrung about the caliber, but finally came to my senses (thanks largely to wisdom from folks here) and got a .177 in deference to FT. Jeez, now I have to get a chronograph, right? Even then I’ll be far from finished, since folks around here have long since convinced me that I eventually need to spring for an AA S410, right? Some “Lentz” fellow (if that really is his name) had the perfect S410 carbine on the classifieds a while back. I almost went for it, but wasn’t quite ready to plunge into that part of the Dark Side’s price range. Now I have non-buyer’s remorse.

      Feels good to de-lurk after a few weeks’ silence. Like several other folks around here, I seem to be following the blog three or four days behind. Summertime is supposed to be mellow, dangit!

      -Jan

      • Jan,

        Even though that aa s410 carbine had a classic tube installed I would encourage you to consider the rifle over the carbine. Not only for shot count and power but for balance. In my opinion, you give up too much in the carbine and gain too little. While we’re on the subject of carbines I think the fx cyclone wins hands down over the aa s410 carbine.

        Short version. I don’t think you should have non buyers remorse for passing on the aa s410 carbine that I sold.

        kevin

        • Thanks, Kevin. Remorse fading. Slightly. It just so happens that Al Otter is going to bring his s410 thumbhole to the next DIFTA match for me to try out. I should probably have my wife hide the checkbook beforehand.

          Two matches ago, Al also generously let me rattle off 30-odd shots with USFT #16. Wayne, I can see what all the hub-bub is about. Wow! I’m a complete knuckle-dragger of a shooter, and that goofy plumber-on-‘shrooms rifle made me look good. This experience has also perhaps sent me down the road towards that other Dark Side: clicking in FT! Hitting right where the crosshair is aimed after fiddling with those knobs is a little bit addictive. Then again, I think I could purchase another five Marauders and a couple of s410’s for the price of that Schmidt and Bender scope… Gulp!

          -Jan

          • Jan,

            Your in big time trouble now. Once you shoot the USFT, others loose their luster. I feel like a tank, sliding my feet around to align the barrel. It’s just so solid sitting on my knee. And when others complain about loosing alignment and stuff, I just smile, #6 has been solid and right on for some time now.
            What took me so long, was fine tuning my holdover dots on the side wheel. I would think twice about going to clicking. Try a longer zero, like 44 yards, then 20 is also on zero, and ten is not as much holdover. Then 30 is two dots hold under. I use to choose the peak of the arch for zero, but this has worked out better. Although it did cost me one shot, when after holding under on a 30 yard shot, I had a brain fart and held under on the next lane, which was the same dots, but should have been hold over.

            But, from my limited experience, clicking takes way more time, and so you have less time to get steady and relaxed. You are also wondering if you came back all the way around from that last close shot. Did I range right?.. All this is going on in your head, while your trying to concentrate on the shot. I’ve been trying clicking with 12fpe USFT#44, and I make like 4 mistakes per 50 shots, I use to make 10 per 50, the best shooters might only make 1 clicking mistake per 100, but some old pros like Larry Durham “LD”, designer of the USFT, are still doing holdover, and I think he knows a little about this sport:-) Clicking also wheres out the scope.

            But on the way, the AAS 410, or better still for FT is the S400 single shot, for a little less money. Then put that money towards a custom stock with knee stand, maybe from Peter at TopGun. He’s doing up one in Zebra for me now for my S400. I’m setting it up for our members to shoot. Mark’s gonna try it out next time he is over. I think the barrel is the same on the AAEV2 as the S400 and 410, all “rotary swagged” (whatever that means, to me, it means accurate)

            Wacky Wayne,
            Match Director,
            Ashland Air Rifle Range

            • Yep, big time trouble. Hide the checkbook. I’m with you on the clicking v. holdover thing. Holdover is very pure; keeps you in touch with your gun’s ballistics. And in my shooting life, clicking isn’t really practical anywhere except an FT match. Switching to .177 ought to make holdover even more fun with that nice, flat trajectory. I was goofing around with Chairgun while handwringing about .22 v. .177, and was surprised to find that the trajectory of a 20 fpe .22 is remarkably similar to a 12 fpe .177. The .177 trajectory at 20 fpe is nice and flat-looking, though I suppose you probably shouldn’t really run one right up to 20; too fast, right?

              Speaking of s410 v. s400, besides the cost difference, is there a downside to the s410 with a single-shot tray? I imagine that as a good FT/plinking/varmint compromise.

              -Jan

              • Jan,

                There is a large difference in the AAs410 magazine space and the way more open loading port on the AAs400. I love my AAs410, but it’s a pain to load the single shot tray. Most match directors will let you remove the magazine each time you fire, to get around the single shot rule, but unless you really need multishot, (and for practice, it’s great, you can get three times more shots per session), the AAs400 single shot is better and those extra dollars can get you close to a new FT stock…. or better scope.

                Wacky Wayne

  10. Kevin,

    I’m hooked big time on this sport. It’s all Tom’s fault! …. and bless him for it:-)

    Ok, thanks, the R-8 sounds like the perfect springer. I would like just a little more power than the R 7, without the recoil. Although, the Bronco’s low power is not a bother at all, just sweet fun. I don’t know what I’d need more power in a springer for anyway… there’s always something we want to improve, isn’t there?

    But, springers don’t need to have power when….

    The light weight Evanix Rainstorm, carbine, is a hunters dream. Very well balanced, 40 plus foot lbs, side lever, accurate, quiet… what else is there? My second one is on the way, Ed bought my first one after trying it out for me when I was so busy last month. He bought the .25 cal Marauder too, I just wanted him to compare them for me, but he wouldn’t give either one back! They are both real fine air guns. The Marauder is much larger and not a side lever, so it just depends on you needs.

    Yes, PCPs are boringly accurate, so throw in smaller kill zones, wind, uphill, downhill, a little grass here and there to block the KZ, a few standing shots through the “Y” in a tree, or a log covering half the kill zone… or at least that’s what I do:-)

    Wacky Wayne,
    Match Director,
    Ashland Air Rifle Range

    • Wayne,

      I read Tony’s great review, including numerous photos, of your FT shoot at Ashland. Didn’t realize you had such an evil streak until I saw some of your target placements LOL!

      I got to shoot a .25 caliber marauder several weeks ago. Hadn’t even seen .25 caliber pellets until then. Have you seen the new 43 grain soft cast lead HOLLOWPOINT .25 caliber (.251 diameter) pellet that guys are shooting in the marauder? Great accuracy and a devastating hunting pellet. Ed should try some of these pellets in his new .25 cal marauder if he plans on doing any hunting.

      kevin

      • Kevin,

        I got the “Match Director’s Evil ideas” at Larry Durhams “Temecula Challange”. But even he took his hat off to my nastiness, when we shot together on Sunday at Oak Alley Memorial Shootout.

        You know.. his coaching is probably more of a reason for my improvement since then, than the ability to concentrate on shooting instead of match directing. My match directing was very lax:-) Anyway, LD is a very special icon in the industry, and I was totally blessed to shoot with him, and get his help with my game. And he likes I’m shooting a gun he worked so hard on for Billy Lo. He hated to see it sitting, and not in contests. Of course he wants me to do well with his masterpiece, that won the 2005 nationals.

        Nothing is more boring than shooting targets lined up on a flat grassy lawn or dirt, like some clubs are forced to shoot at for lack of better choices…. But..

        I’m gonna tone it down just a tad for the next regional event. Less un-level shooting pads, but toughin up the Kill Zones sizes on the first half of the course, add some of Tony’s bell targets in the trees for really uphill shots and add more course up the canyon for steep downhill shots too.

        It’ll get better and better I hope… and more campsites for ya’ll comin from afar.. ya’ll come now. I’m choosing a date for the Oregon State match now, ideas are welcome, before or after the nationals Oct 16th & 17th?

        Wacky Wayne,
        Match Director,
        Ashland Air Rifle Range

  11. Hi Edith,

    When you talk to Dr. Ungier, please ask her opinion of time and sunlight degrading the efficiency of protective shooting glasses. ie. what’s the shortest time period in which you should you trust the material integrity of your glasses and be safe while shooting?

    Thanks.

  12. Too many ‘you’s…sorry. Also, I was wondering if the age of Tom’s old ‘shooting’ glasses could have contributed to their destructing so easily.

    Tom wears a big cowboy hat…?

  13. Kevin,

    Will do, Ed loves to test new stuff.

    It’s really a tough choice between the .25 cal Marauder and the Evanix Rainstorm for a hunting gun. .25 cal is real nice when hunting, but the Rainstorm carbine, side lever, being only 6.5lbs, is so nice to hold and carry. The quality of the stock on the Evanix is way better, although, it IS VERY FRAGILE!!!! at the pistol grip, ours broke, but PA sent a new one quickly of course. It looks like it might have had a flaw in the grain at the break, but there is not much wood at that point, so be very careful when clubbing bear and wild boar with it:-)

    Ed hasn’t had a problem with the replacement, and I’ll see how strong this new one feels, when I get it today, I think.

    Wacky Wayne

  14. Does anyone else have trouble keeping scratches off their shooting glasses? What’s the longest time you’ve been able to use the same pair? I can’t seem to keep a pair of them or even regular sunglasses scratch free. I suppose it could be the quality of the glasses I buy but I’m afraid to spend much money on glasses if they’re just going to scratch up after a couple weeks. They seem to get into more trouble than my prescription glasses do.

    I know I should be more careful but to be practical, in the real world, it ain’t gonna happen. It’s not that I’m really careless but eventually they all end up laying on the lens and that puts a scratch right where my pupil is, making the glasses worthless, or at least very annoying.
    -CJr

  15. So, as a continuation of what I was asking yesterday, what would I used to remove the old paint on my Blue Streak? Just a rub down with a Scotch-Bright pad? Or are chemical strippers needed? Before I dive into this project I just want to know what is going to be involved. Thanks.

  16. CJr…gotta stop running your shooting glasses through the spin cycle 🙂
    I too have had problems with plastic shooting glasses. I have a cheepoo pair of TopFlytes that I swear to god obtained a big scratch from my kids fingernail.
    So the expensive Revision I have (about $70/pr) always go into their case when I’m finihed.
    On the other hand I have a pair of RayBan Wayfayer (the Roy Orbison glasses) that are heavy as heck on my nose, but are scratch free after 15 years of daily use.

  17. I’ve heard about the R9 as a classic in its own right, so it’s good that the same quality is there beneath the relabeling–I guess we will see at any rate with the upcoming tests.

    Chuck, BG_Farmer, and B.B., you guys are geniuses. Your advice about switching mounts for my Anschutz scope worked perfectly. Actually, I can’t say for sure just what I did. If you are not used to the orientation of the mounts and are handling them and trying to keep track of Allen screws and trying to keep your rifle from tipping over and falling on the floor, it’s easy to get mixed up. But I did some version of reversing the mounts 180 degrees and swapping them front and back, and now I am dialed in with plenty of movement on the turrets. Thanks to you the hunt in the dirt was not in vain! And thanks to bore sighting, I was able to find out right away instead of waiting for another range trip. The whole experience is eye-opening about tolerances. I had the idea that everything was made straight so that it should work, but apparently the discrepancies in tolerance are enough to have problems like mine. Anyway, thanks to you guys, I was able, in the words of Winston Churchill to “sleep the sleep of the saved and thankful.”

    PeteZ, thanks for the reference. It was only after I asked the question that it occurred to me to Google the information you had given me, and I found the citation. Odd and rather silly for the NRA to discontinue this title based on the name recognition of people mentioned therein. I suppose the NRA is looking to keep up its image as a current organization. It reminds me of a point that has come up in interdisciplinary studies about how all organizations–broadly conceived to include nations, oil companies, churches, local volunteer clubs, political parties, individual organizations–all look after themselves. It is a version of self-organization/similarity. This can easily lead to cynicism but it seems to be a feature of any organization, even when operating at its best.

    Anyway, none of this will stop me from reading this book, even with its eye-popping price. That also goes for another interesting book I happened across called New Position Rifle. One of the Amazon reviews for this second book claims that after reading it and practicing with 1500 rounds per day for six months, one fellow placed in some kind of all-European pistol competition. This book, like the Russian one has a very high price, but I see that both are available through interlibrary loan, so I will have a look and report. How is the training going with your shooting gurus?

    Wayne, congratulations on your excellent field target shooting. You should get a nice rimfire like the Anschutz and compare with your field target pcps. That would be an interesting match-up. The 60mm scope on your rifle is a real monster.

    Matt61

    • Matt,

      That would be interesting. I might take USFT#6 and that BSA 10-50×60 with one of the old 1950 Remington .22lr that I can scope with a similar scope and see how they compare at 50 and 75 yards from a bench. In no or very light wind, with weighed CPH 10.5, #6 will do 10 shot, one hole 3/8″ to 1/2″, outside hole size on a regular basis. I imagine that’s on par with the best rimfire rifles… But…

      Your not going to get me buying an expensive rimfire and start a new hobby. I barely have time to explore the “Cowboy” shooting world with my very fun .45 long colt pistols and rifles.

      Wacky Wayne

      • Wayne, as a matter of fact, the test target for my Anschutz 1907 is 10 shots into 7/16 in. (actual size), at 50 yards so your USFT is right up there. I don’t know that rimfire is a new hobby so much as an extension of what you’re doing with airguns. Rimfire feels very similar to airguns to me–both rifle and pistol. But I do know about not having enough time. At 11 rifles and pistols, airguns and firearms, I am maxed out and would not be able to use anything more.

        Matt61

  18. Matt,
    Thanks for giving me top billing credit for that but it really all goes to BB and BGF. Everything I know I got from them. Yes, I know, I actually remembered something. They say one retains 20% of what one learns. I’ll bet I’ve forgotten some really cool stuff 🙂

    -CJr

  19. Matt…I picked up the Yur Yev book about a year ago (and paid dearly), but it is invaluable in my opinion.
    Though newer books have updated info regarding the ‘stuff’ of shooting, Yev’s outlook on the psychology/physiology of shooting are timeless in my opinion. It is not what I’d call an engrossing book…I did read it cover to cover when I first bought it, but it wasn’t fun.
    But as a source reference guide I find I go back to it on a regular basis.

    • At least once a month. And when I’m having troubles, I look in the book (no index, damme!) and soon enough find a good description of the problem and the way to work through it.

      I look at current prices for the book and sometimes laugh because I got mine new at the sticker price when it was still in print. Not only did I save money, but I had it for all those extra years.

      Matt61: It’s summer. My shooting gurus are terribly busy with their day jobs developing coaches around the country and working with the kids teams they coach. We’re searching for a good evening to get together and meanwhile corresponding.

  20. Wayne,

    outstanding shooting!!!! I also appreciated the comment on how you feel the Maurauder is the bargain PCP. You made up my mind – I’ll have to order one in .177 and BB, as we discussed the other day, I’ll have it shipped to a “safe” address where people aren’t afraid of air rifles. The Benji Nitro will have to wait another day.

    If Slinging Lead or Derrick38 are around, I have a quick question on bicycle gear so rather than bore everyone here, could you contact me at cyclealleyriders@gmail.com? Just two questions soliciting your opinions – Derrick, you’re probably better for this as we know Slinging Lead is a Mountain Bike Squid and this concerns “manly” road bike stuff. 🙂

    Fred PRoNJ

  21. Offtopic…Just picked up some Visicolor targets…the targets used for sighting in that turn color where your round lands. This is in anticipation of this weekend when the boys get their pellet gun presents for doing well in school this past year. Who says pellet rifle isn’t appropriate for passing grade 1 😉
    This weekend we’re heading out to the fish and game assoc range I recently joined, where we will spend the day shooting their new guns (the BAM AK lookalikes…boy, are they pumped). As well we’ll be picking up some worms and after shooting the plan is to head to the pond they have at the range and try and land a couple of trout.
    All this and a couple of Boxcar Burgers at the Caboose Restaruant on the shooting range property http://www.footloosecaboose.com/menu_1.htm
    A great weekend planned and nary a video game in sight!!

  22. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for either a pistol scope or laser sight. I have an inexpensive red dot but not really satisfied with it. This scope or laser that I’m looking for would be mounted to a 2240 with dovetail mount. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

    rikib

    • Shhh–B.B. If this is you, I was hacked. I am not stuck in Africa-hurt and confused and in need of $1,900. $1,900 would come in use though. My new e-mail is sdherlihy298@hotmail.com. If this is you send me a link where we can chat. Thaks and again I hope you are making a full recovery. I know what it’s like to be out of comission. Your adoptrf son-tell “mom” I said hi. Scott298

    • RikiB,

      I don’t have any scoped pistols, but I can tell you what not to get as far as lasers.
      Don’t waste your money on any of the various red lasers that are readily available in the $20-$50 price range.
      I haven’t found one yet that holds a reliable zero, or that I can see in bright daylight past 15 yards without really straining.
      You might try a green laser like this if you have a hundred bucks to blow, but you would need a Weaver/Picatinny adapter or one with dovetail mounts. Also, the picture indicates similar Allen W/E adjustment screws to what the cheap red lasers use, so who knows if it holds a zero any better or adjusts any more reliably. B.B. did a review on red vs. green lasers a while back, but I can’t remember if he addressed this point.

      – Orin

      • Orin,

        The color of the laser has nothing to do with it’s ability to hold zero. And red lasers aren’t all cheap. I have always used the AirForce laser which I can adjust by hand (no tools) while holding the rifle on target.

        The one thing airgunners never seem to appreciate is that each yard of distance away from the zero point causes the laser to move. You can really see this through a scope. I used to demonstrate the effect to shooters in the AirForce booth at SHOT and even the firearm guys were impressed. So zero for a range at which you have the flattest part of the trajectory.

        B.B.

        • B.B.,

          Yeah, sorry – I didn’t mean to imply that the color affected the zero. Only that unreliable adjustment mechanisms on the cheaper lasers cause headaches. Thanks for the finger-adjustability tip on the AirForce laser.

          – Orin

  23. Any ideas for a pistol scope out there? I’ve search through PA’s site, not sure what I would really need a lot of scopes out there. I would be mounting it to a 2240 with dovetail mounts. This is a bolt action pistol so I need clearance. I would not be shooting from much more than maybe 35′, I don’t believe. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

    rikib

    • Richard,

      I don’t understand what you want. You want to mount a scope out on the barrel? Why? The scope mounting base on the spring tube is designed to make scope mounting easy on the R9. And the eye relief with be correct. If you mout a scope out on the barrel you will have to get a scout scope with extra long eye relief.

      B.B.

  24. Hi richard,
    You’ve to the right place but on the wrong blog date.

    Did you know that B.B. publishes a daily blog? You posted to a blog written last June and it will not be seen by very many readers. Please join us at the daily blog Mon to Fri and meet alot of good folks who are very knowledgeable in all phases of air gunning. Hope to see you there at

    /blog//

    CJr

    PS for sure repost your question about sights rings for your gun there. I know you’ll get alot of help. You might want to include more info like what gun what size scope tube etc.

  25. Hello all.. just joined the forum and new to the world of air guns.. after much searching online I’ve come to like all the reviews I’ve read about the Beeman R9 Elite Series Combo, what though are the opinions of the scope it is packaged with? I’m looking at the rifle in .22 and will use mainly for small game and target. Range of importance is 20-40 yard’s. Weight IS a big issue for me. I’m disabled and in a wheelchair. I find some rifles that get heavy pull me forward and after a 1/2 day of shooting I do get tired. So keeping weight one of my priorities are there comparable rifles with the fit and finish of the Beeman?

    • stateniland,

      Oh, heck, yes there are better air rifles for you! If you are disabled, why not get a precharged pneumatic? They are much easier to shoot accurately and if you use a scuba tank to fill them, the effort there is minimal. If a scuba tank is too heavy, a carbon fiber tank holds many times more air and weighs half as much.

      The Benjamin Discovery is perfect for you. It weighs several pounds less than the R9, yet is more powerful. Here is a three-part report on the Discovery:

      /blog/2008/1/the-benjamin-discovery-part-3-velocity/

      B.B.

    • stateniland,
      I don’t know what you’re doing with an air rifle and I don’t know your physical limitations but quit worring about the weight of the rifle and get one you like and something to support it on your wheel chair or the ground in front. I would imagine any airgun venue would allow for resonable assistance if not a wheel chair flight. If there is allowances for shooters with weak backs there better be assistance for wheel chairs. Wacky Wayne help out here. You’ve seen a lot of the competition world. A single stick or perhaps a bi-pod stick would work. I recommend at least bipod for better stability. I have a single stick one and it wobbles over the placw. You can shoot any rifle from a wheel chair with a good support “stick”. Don’t let anyone tell you you are limited. You can shoot just as good as the rest of us. If anyone tells you you can’t do such and such because you’re in a wheel chair tell them to stick it. Let me know if anyone does. Dang, I just made myself angry.
      -CJr

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