by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
This report covers:
- In an air rifle
- The marketing
- Not my idea
- Last visit
- So what?
- The $100 PCP
- What do YOU want to see in an air rifle?
- Over to you
- Summary
In an air rifle
It was February 2006. I’ll never forget standing in the office of Crosman’s CEO, Ken D’Arcy after making my pitch about a single shot precharged pneumatic air rifle that only filled to 2,000 psi. I was on fire that day, because Ed Schultz had taken my idea and in three days had prototyped two rifles — one in .177 and the other in .22. To his surprise — it worked! He had turned two Crosman 2260 CO2 rifles into prototypes of what the company would eventually call the Benjamin Discovery. [Note: Crosmnan has changed the rifle to a Sheridan 2260.] He was getting 20 shots at almost 1,000 f.p.s. in the .177 and he hadn’t even tweaked the valve yet!
After my presentation and toward the end of the day D’Arcy looked at me and asked me one question. Did I think they could sell a thousand of the rifles in the first year? I had no idea, but I said I thought they could sell two thousand. The idea was sound — it all depended on their marketing.
The marketing
Fully two-thirds of my idea was how to market this new air rifle. It was 2006 and PCPs in general were still looked at as “the dark side.” Crosman had imported some expensive PCPs from England and tried to sell them without success several years before. They had no name in the PCP world.
My idea was to put everything the shooter needed into one box and to price it at $250 out the door. It would have the rifle, a hand pump, a small tin of good pellets (this was Crosman, so I was thinking Premiers) and a bunch of good literature. Not only would there be a solid owner’s manual that I would help write; there would also be a “Welcome to the World of Precharged Airguns” pamphlet that explained how the rifle worked. That would dovetail with online tutorials on how to fill the rifle with either a pump or a scuba tank, an explanation of how the scuba tank would last a long time because the gun was only filled to 2,000 psi, and an explanation of how just 2,000 psi was enough to propel a .177 pellet to 1,000 f.p.s.
Not my idea
Folks — the Benjamin Discovery was not my idea. I would love to be able to claim it, but the idea really came from Larry Durham and Tim McMurray. They built a field target rifle called the USFT that got a large number of shots from a very low-pressure fill.
My USFT from Tim McMurray filled to 1,600 psi and got 55 shots of 10.6-grain Beeman Kodiaks at just under 900 f.p.s.
The test target Tim sent with my rifle. It’s 25 Beeman Kodiak Match pellets in 0.663-inches at 51 yards.
My first time out with the USFT my best 5-shot group at 50 yards was 0.335-inches, c-t-c.
What I’m telling you is I am not the inventor of the Benjamin Discovery. I just saw a great idea and took it to some folks who could do something with it.
As I was about to leave Crosman for the airport that same day, Ed Schultz showed me a rack of walnut stocks that were in-process. Some were finished, some were awaiting finish and some were raw lumber waiting to be turned into stocks. He told me there were 4,000 stocks that had been for a special 2260 project that was cancelled. He said he was of a mind to put them on the first Discoverys. Imagine getting a budget PCP package that included a rifle with a walnut stock!
Well, in 2007 Crosman did exactly that — they put a walnut stock on the first Discoverys. I have one that I bought (no — they didn’t give me a rifle, but I was paid for this project) from my buddy, Mac, at one of the last Virginia airgun shows. Toward the end of that first year I noticed that they had switched to beech stocks, so I reckoned what I had told Ken D’Arcy the year before held up.
Last visit
I went back to Crosman one last time to discuss the project and was shown their first rifling machine for the Discovery. Ed also told me they were testing the first rifles for holding by filling them and watching them for 24 hours. They knew they had to do it right from the start or risk sniping from the internet peanut gallery. I told Ken D’Arcy that in two years Crosman, a company known for kid’s guns and CO2 guns, would be a household name in the PCP world.
So what?
Okay, that was an idea that I got to see all the way through to fruition. There were changes along the way, as there always must be, but Crosman remained true to the core idea. And it worked better than I hoped. The next year they brought out the Marauder that they had been planning all along. But they took my advice and launched the Discovery first to establish a reputation in the world of PCPs. Today there are airgunners who are unaware that Crosman came into the game as late as 2007.
The $100 PCP
In 2014 I did a 6-part series where I tested an airgun Dennis Quackenbush made up for me. He took a Crosman 2100B and turned it into a PCP. I asked him to hold the cost as low as he could and when he was done we both felt it was possible to build a precharged pneumatic that could retail for one-hundred dollars.
At the 2016 SHOT Show, Crosman surprised me with their Maximus — a new PCP that retailed for $200. Guess what — it still does today — over four years later!
The Maximus looks similar to the Benjamin Discovery and will retail for under $200. A complete package with a pump and pellets will retail for about $430.
The Maximus is probably the big reason the Discovery is no longer made. They don’t need two budget PCPs and the Maximus was cheaper. It also had their new barrel that is more accurate by virtue of being reamed before rifling. So 2007 to 2016 is a nine year period in which Crosman went from being the maker of airguns for kids to one of the top makers of PCPs in the world! — nine years!
What do YOU want to see in an air rifle?
That’s a long intro for the title subject, which is — if you had your way, what sort of air rifle would you like to see? I’ll get you started. I would like to see a Sig ASP20 with some changes.
Keep the barrel, but shorten it by 4 inches. Keep the gas spring, but let out some air so the rifle with the shorter barrel cocks with 20 pounds of force. If necessary, put a longer muzzle brake on the barrel to increase the length for leverage but not the weight. Lighten the synthetic stock by a significant amount and thin its profile at the grip and forearm where the hands fall. Keep the trigger and safety exactly as they are.
What you are giving me is a 12-13 foot-pound breakbarrel air rifle that’s 1.5 pounds lighter and a lot easier to cock and to hold. And, now that it’s all that, folks will want open sights.
When Ed Schultz was still at Sig I gave him an idea for an open front sight that would be revolutionary in the world of airguns. It’s been in use in the firearms world for the past 80 years, but I haven’t seen it on an airgun yet. With that dandy Picatinney rail that’s on the rifle right now Sig could offer an adjustable rear sight that would attach easily. I recommend offering a peep , but it could also be a conventional notch if it could be extended forward far enough for the eye to see.
There you are, Sig. That’s a new SKU for you that won’t cost you very much engineering time to create. I bet an engineer could knock out a prototype in a week, if his time was dedicated.
Over to you
Now it’s your turn. Tell us what air rifle you would like to see. Here is a tip. Companies are not likely to get out a clean sheet of paper for anything. When they do that, they are looking at heavy 6-figure investments. Give them something that’s easy for them to do — but for some reason they haven’t done it yet. What if we sliced the loaf of bread before selling it — that kind if thing.
Summary
Want to affect the world of airguns? Then stop tipping over the porta-potties and help us empty the garbage cans!
Good morning everyone
It seems to me that all the new PPPCPs are made up to .25 cal. I wish we could see cheap big bores, tuned accordingly for certain.
B.B.,
Gamo could also do what you propose Sig could do, make a light 12 fpe rifle. Somebody ought to study how those gas rams actually work and lower the pressure fill of those things, along with the option to convert to traditional metal springs if desired.
Siraniko
B.B.,
I just picked up a used Daisy 953 and was thinking it would make a good base for mimicking some old milsurp rifles.
It wouldn’t be a reproduction like high-end airsoft or CO2 BB guns like the Air Venturi M1 Carbine or the SMLE the Brits are making now. It would be more along the lines of the Diana PCP and underlever K98Ks or the Air Venturi underlever M1A. – evocative of the handling and appearance of the originals within reason.
For an Enfield replica, the pump handle could be disguised as the magazine. For something like the Garand, you could hide the handle flush with the bottom of the stock like on the Air Arms Pro Sport.
SSPs give moderate velocities, so would be ideal for protracted casual plinking. If you were to use a short shrouded barrel, it should respond well to baffles for the jurisdictions that allow them (again like the Pro Sport).
The Air Venturi M1 Carbine approach to furniture would be appropriate as well with the option for imitation or real wood.
Nathan
I am also interested in more replicas.
There is a amazing catalog of historical WWII era firearms. I dream of a Gewher 43, a Beretta Model 38, a Sten,…. An airgun replica is a wonderful entry to this world. It is accessible and more easily used and shared with others than their firearm counterparts.
I agree that quality is essential. Accurate shooting, and faithful reproduction/operation to the original, where possible. WOOD FURNITURE. I will open my wallet for quality. My Diana K98 springer is a favorite. A fine precision instrument that neighborhood friends try and love from the first shot.
StarboatdRower
What I want is a high quality, low powered, very accurate break-barrel springer with a 10M match type stock and sights. I absolutely love the way 10M rifles feel when I hold them – they just seem to sink into my arms and become pat of my body – but for my rather informal target shooting I didn’t need anything too high end really. One of the Weihrauch break barrels with a stock in the style of the 10M rifles from back in the days when they still shot break barrels in competition. Something like the HW55 Custom Match or Walther LGV Olympia.
By sheer luck I eventually found an FWB602 for sale not only in Canada but not too far away from where I live so I now have far more rifle than I need but I would have been happy with the sort of rifle described above. Problem is that I’m probably the only person who wants something like that AND would have been willing to pay the price for a new one from Weihrauch or one of the other German manufacturers!
Something like the Boyds Pro Varmint stock, but inlet for a spring break barrel? Yeah, I could see that. I prefer the thumbhole stock myself (Boyds Varmint Rimfire Thumbhole), but either would be pretty neat on my Diana 24.
I agree, only I want it to be at least 11.5 FPE. I think an HW 50 would be a good basis. I would want it to balance at least as well as the LG 380 Anschutz that I got to shoulder one time. This would be a perfect springer field target air rifle.
Brent
OK (again!)): A Colt SAA gunfighter model with a 4 3/4″ bbl in 22 caliber. Please.
Nexr, the same pistol in an airsoft version.
And, a green gas model of Ruger’s Bearcat in .22 pellet caliber.
—JoeB
OOPS! This was supposed to be about air rifles. Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.
Still though……
JoeB,
I’m with you!
Michael
Me, too! =.
I would like to see a price point pcp shot gun.
If it only got one shot per 2000psi fill I would be happy. If it got 2 shots per fill that would be great.
This is a small one but I’d really love a butt stock option for the Crosman 2240 series that puts my eye at the right level for a scope without having to add a piece of pipe insulation tubing or a rolled up small towel. I know Crosman once offered a 2250 or 2260 with what I believe was a wooden skeleton stock with a curved top piece that looked perfect.
Joe
Yep I always wanted one of the 2250 wood skeleton stocks for my 2240’s, 1322/77’s and the Maximus or Discovery too that I use the pistol grip assembly’s on.
But yep good ole puipe insulation works good on the 1399 Skelton stocks.
JoeB,
I don’t think this is a small one. There are a lot of these Crosmans out there that would benefit. And maybe its just me, but putting pipe insulation or towels on my rifle is a deal breaker. I wish Crosman would offer something like this. Works for kids and adults:
http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/search/label/stock%20adapter
Derrick
Derick,
I do like that. Cheek risers are so nice. You really can’t appreciate them until you have one. The AR 6 position is perfect for that. Adj. LOP to boot. I have a Fab Defense (with independent adj. riser) butt on my .25 M-rod in RAI stock. Love it. The Red Wolf has a riser too.
Chris
Do any of you remember this report BB did.
I had several of Dave’s set ups on my Crosman/Benjamin guns. Even a Marauder.
/blog/2014/02/r-a-i-adjustable-ar-stock-adapter/
I’ve mentioned this before but…
a Colt SAA Ned Buntline Special in a rifled .22 with a butt stock. Possibly with the receiver drilled and tapped for a one-piece rings/scope option (at 73, my eyes can use all the help they can get).
B.B.
I really want the new, if it ever comes out, Diana 34 EMS. Interchangeable barrels, ability to use gas piston or steel spring, ability to add or remove droop, able to shoot one MOA at 50 yards, have a stock that works just as well standing or kneeling, sitting or benchrested, quality adjustable trigger….
Tim McMurray makes darn fine rifles.
-Y
Golly Gee Whiz! What do I want that I do not already have?! Well now, that is difficult as I own quite a few sproingers that fit the bill for plinking to informal target shooting.
I guess I would have to go along with BB’s description for the modification of the ASP20. Most sproingers are way too heavy, but that is how many make the recoil manageable and the air rifle less hold sensitive. Instead of trying to take that gas ram and squeeze every iota out of it, cut it way back. “What good is +500 FPE if you can’t hit what you are shooting at?” 12 FPE would be a good level. Around six pounds would be a good weight.
“I guess I would have to go along with BB’s description for the modification of the ASP20.”
B.B., I concur with what RidgeRunner says. =>
B.B.,
I am at a point where I really don’t think much about air guns I want. The Colt SAA with four inch barrel JoeB mentions above and one other: a pump-assist (butterfly mechanism) multi-pumper. Before the coronavirus pandemic Air Venturi announced it would market one and had a prototype at Shot Show, but I fear that product is now shot. I would love to purchase that prototype, though!
Michael
Michael,
You really need a nice Crosman 101.
Michael, I, also,was waiting for that Seneca Butterfly…still am. =>
Now, if thoughts are wandering to the SSP and/or the multi-pump, a good base to start with would be the Maximus. Start with simplicity and K.I.S.S. Crosman also has a team that is very familiar with both single stroke and multi-pump.
Now, if they really want to go the nostalgia route, bring back something like the Crosman 101 as a Special Deluxe Limited Edition air rifle. We are quickly coming up on the 100th anniversary of this awesome air rifle.
Of course the problem with that is there will be such a clamor for them, they will have to produce a “standard” version.
RidgeRunner,
Crosman 101s are nice, but this is what I want, an Air Venturi Buitterfly: /blog/2020/01/2020-shot-show-day-two/
Michael
Or the new Benjamin Variable Pump with the 2 stage trigger on Marauder.
Fish,
Unfortunately, the Benjamin Variable Pump is nothing new. It’s simply the 392/397 with a plastic stock instead of wood stock..
Michael
Michaell,
Exactly! The problem is they, now, offer it with single stage trigger. Correct me if I’m wrong; 392/397 came with a 2 stage one. I just wished they used the trigger on Marauder. That being said, Benjamin Variable Pump would be something new with a Marauder 2 stage trigger; and I don’t think any of its predecessors had that brilliant trigger.
Fish,
You might be right, but the trigger on my 1970s or 1980s 397 is not adjustable (and not especially good, either). I have two 1960s Sheridans that have unadjustable but light, crisp triggers, but one of them doesn’t count, as its trigger got the Steriod tuning treatment by Tim MacMurray.
Michael
Yeah, that’s why I’d like them to use the adjustable 2 stage tregger of Marauder on Benjamin Variable Pumps.
Yeah, that one!!! =>
And with a wood stock! :^)
Michael,
I’m watching for it. 🙂
B.B.
Chanman819 ,
The 953 would be a great platform for replicas . SSP are far superior to springers for accuracy and at that price point completely obtainable with good performance . An Enfield and a K98K would be great . Daisy is now part of Gamo , hopefully the tooling and technical data are still around for the rifle . It would be intriguing to young shooters who are history buffs also .
Gene Salvino
Gene,
The other big benefit I think SSP have over springers is the footprint of the mechanism – something like the 953 or SSP pistols fit the action under the barrel, so you can keep the bolt and chamber access at location similar to that of firearms. With existing spring piston or gas ram platforms, you have certain limitations on geometry regarding where the compression chamber, spring tube, and (usually) sear are located relative to each other.
And yeah, I’d love an Enfield air rifle, although… the No.1 Mk. III SMLE gets all the recognition and fame, but (at least in Canada), the No.4 might be a better choice with the peep sight. Especially since wartime expedience also gave us the design for some very crude and simple rear sight assemblies that would work well. 🙂
Nathan
We really are in the Golden Age for air guns. “If you build it, they will come.” If you ask they can and will build it. As long as it is not too outlandish (5 lb. 10 shot, 3000 fps , 180 gr. 30 cal., 85 db. $300, 3000 psi fill, oh and camo.) Can I have it by next week?
A 12 ft-lb single stroke pneumatic rifle, that is relatively easy to cock – no more than a typical break-barrel springer rifle. I know the laws of physics may get in the way, but its what I want.
Maybe the Freedom 700?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnR1KxFqOAc
Freedom 700 looks great, but its unobtanium right now.
SqvareHead,
True. Unfortunately, there are many new products that are unobtainium these days.
Michael
I think a select fire PCP would sell very well. Probably .22 caliber, a reliable magazine of at least 20 pellets. It will need to be accurate and have a decent trigger. The price should be less than $1000.00. Any more would limit the market. Weight should be about 7lbs. It should also have open sights. There was one of these in the past but it’s not on the market anymore. It didn’t have the features I noted.
Mike
Mike,
For me you would have to about half that price.
There was one that had all of your features you want, but the price has gone through the roof. I guess I will consider myself lucky if I ever even see one of those things.
Now the upcoming S.A.M. is only semi, but it might get your attention.
Have a look at the Hatsan Blitz. A little heavier than you like but everything else is what you want. And in three calibers.
Now, what would I like in a PCP? Small bore wise, it already exists. The Maximus, the Fortitude, the Origin, the Avenger, just to name a few. About all that can be done in this lineup is make them into 1 MOA air rifles. It can be done. I can do it. So can they. A Maximus that can shoot 1 MOA at 100 yards would make my knees weak.
As for the big bore, the companies need to stop chasing THE POWER! Chase accuracy. I have an HM1000X in .357 that will shoot 1 MOA at 100 yards using JSBs. The air rifle companies need to get together with the ammo companies and work things out. This is what FX has been doing. Build a big bore to accurately shoot already existing big bore air rifle ammo.
The Texan would be the ideal big bore platform for testing. AirForce should hire someone to do nothing but shoot the Texan day in and day out, until they are the best Texan shooter in the world. Then start testing ammo, barrel lengths, twist rates, etc.
Dear Velocity Outdoors,
I myself would not really be interested in one, but once you have the S.A.M. worked out, you may want to give consideration to a “replica” of the M1 Garand.
Hear hear! I’d take that M1 Garand.
StarboardRower
A wish list, OK…
For airguns in general,..
– offer the basic rifle without any sort of silencing (shroud, silencers or moderators in any format) so they would be available to markets where scilencers are illegal (but thread the barrel for them).
– adjustable stock – cheek-piece and length of pull.
– ambidextrous stock, bolt/lever and safety to accommodate all shooters.
– simple “pocket-proof” metal clips (like those on the Weihrauch HW 100) with an anti-doublefeed mechanism.
For PCPs…
– 4500 psi compressors and tanks are readily available so the rifles should have regulators and be made to be filled up to that pressure for maximum shot count. Being regulated they don’t HAVE TO be filled the 4500 psi as anything over the regulator set-pressure will yield consistent velocities.
– external adustments for regulator and hammer spring (and valve dwell if possible)
Thanks for asking 🙂
Hank
A second look at magazines and why they (can) be less accurate than single loading. Come up with a design that eliminates ALL doubt. Ability to compensate for any off sets, accurate indexing, etc.. Re-focus on the breech/leade in could come into play here too.
By in large, it seems a crap shoot. Of course,… the shooter has to shoot well enough to narrow it down to the magazine and not something else,.. which is probably what the makers are banking on. 😉
Chris
FM would be happy if SIG just added open sights – NOT the “glowy thingy” type, and sling mounts, to the ASP20.
More side levers (w/swap option). O-rings on probe and not in breech (easier replacement). Supply a dozen with each gun (less hassle tracking down new ones). Top quality O-rings throughout.
I would LOVE to see a Marauder with a stock like a Maximus but higher/adjustable comb. Get rid of the flat bottomed fore end. Larger transfer port, lighter valve spring and hammer. Add a regulator similar to a Huma with gauge. And a gauge in the fill port.
Hi BB
I’ve been toying with the idea of insulating the power plant of a break barrel rifle since that is where a lot of the noise comes from. I picked up a Walmart crosman f4 with a nitro piston and quiet fire a moderator on the barrel. The release and slam of the piston is still loud. Couldn’t an airgun manufacturer insulate the piston chamber to reduce this noise? I’m trying using some shelf liner and tape at this time. If I had all the tools crosman has I would reduce the size of the piston and suspend it in the action with some noise reducing material.
I would like to see someone, somewhere do a review on the Air Venturi/Springfield Armory M1 A air rifle? Not everyone is infatuated with PCPs and it looks like a really interesting replica.
Brent
I notice PA is slow to show reviews when a new product first comes out.
Since the M1A came out about a year ago, that seems like enough time to see something by now, right?
Even if I’m am early adopter,.I usually try to wait a year before posting. For some reason, when I post early it takes a long time to show. Or the pictures I sent dont show. Or both..
Not sure why there are still no posts on that M1A. But I’m not totally surprised either.
StarboardRower
BB
My Diana 34 Classic T06 is close to being a dream rifle. Accuracy is as good or better than my ASP20. Trigger is better. Initial stiff cocking is long past. No bumping is needed to unlatch the hinge. It has a steel spring! TIAT tuned and I’ve never used the thingy glowee sights.
Deck
Diana 34 is perfect other than its fibre optic sights. It’d be great with its old iron globe sights.
Fish
Diana makes the 34 without glow worms. A reader has posted the model reference not long ago on this blog. I could cut mine off but they don’t get in my way. My high mounted scope sits on a droop compensator. I have vowed to never change my setup since accuracy is sub 1/2” at 25 yards. Now that is really saying something because I am an optic switching nut.
Good day to you!
Deck
Decksniper,
Yeah, but where do you buy that in US?
Fish
May want to see what BB’s mystery sight turns out to be. I do think the Diana 34 has enough power to deserve a scope.
Deck
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/new-diana-34-ems-and-ataman-big-bore-air-rifles/
diana 34 ems
Fish
Thanks! I subscribe to Hardairmagazine but had overlooked this one.
Deck
I am still stuck on a TR5 improved model.
Ict815
Maybe it could be “Steam” powered. 😉
LOL. Wood burning or coal?
Ok I’ll give up on that. 🙂
Maybe propane. 🙂
OK my list.
1-Take the Umarex Colt SAA (pellet) and do a Revolving Carbine (Lightning).
2-Give me a single stroke pneumatic rifle and pistol that have a little more power than they do now. Doesn’t have to be magnums. And not a 1.5 lb plastic kids gun.
3-How hard would it be for Daisy/Gamo to give us 499 that puts out 425 fps? People are doing that with them now. If they are worried about kids, put an adult sized stock on it. I would also like it to be a repeater like the Red Ryder, but just more power would be great!
4- A Shotgun PLEASE. Gamo tried but failed on two counts. First was the ammo price. When 12 ga center fire shells were cheaper, you knew that wouldn’t fly. Next it needed more power. We have that today. Look at the Hatsun .30 cal? Gamo, how about the magnums they have out now. Doesn’t have to be a repeater. I love taking my .22’s out and bust pests (bugs) with shot shells.
5-Umarex again. The 1022 C02 rilfe. Make it in .22 cal please. That would be sweet. While you are at it, work on reducing the DA trigger pull. Probably asking too much, but a true semi would have been great.
Doc
Doc,
Are you overlooking the Seneca Wing Shot and Double Shot?
B.B.
BB
That’s why I mentioned a price point PCP shotgun.
Heck Crosman had their hands in a Co2 powered tranquilizer air gun based off a older Crosman Co2 gun. It was even .50 caliber so possibly the Wingshot ammo would work in it.
My idea of a air shot gun would be based off of a Maximus or Marauder (pcp) rifle with a .50 caliber tube for the barrel and of course a different valve that would dump say 800 psi per shot.
As I said 1 shot from a 2000 psi fill would be ok but 2 shots would be great.
If the pressure was upped to the Marauder rifle based gun of the pressure of 3000 psi, I think that 2 high powered shots would be possible.
And of course not everybody wants a air shot gun. But not everyone wants break barrel either.
I’m throwing the idea out there because the air shot gun could be built fairly easily by what I just mentioned.
I want one.
GFi,
When I was part of the team that designed the Benjamin Rogue, a .410 shotgun barrel was always part of the plasn. Then I went into the hospital and when I came out it had turned into a cross between an M16 and a Mr. Coffee.
BB
B.B.,
a Rogue .410. Now that sounds very cool! My fav cal shotgun.
Doc
BB
That’s a shame it didn’t happen.
“When I was part of the team that designed the Benjamin Rogue, a .410 shotgun barrel was always part of the plan”
B.B., too bad they didn’t follow though; that would have been cool. =>
Gunfun,
Now you are talking!!
Doc
Doc
Yep.
GF1,
Instead of wasting ur time on TR5, u should’ve been building this fairly easy design. 😉
I hope some company will produce your PCP shotgun one day. It could even be a .205 bore – a slim, elegant design.
Fish
Ain’t that the truth.
B.B.,
No. Was thinking a gas springer (lower price like the Gamo) was. Doesn’t have to be as powerful as those PCP’s. But now that you mention PCP Shotguns, no reason we couldn’t see an entry level PCP Shotgun. Most all those lower price PCPs have the power to shoot shot shells.
Doc
Doc
I agree.
I would buy a Sig ASP20 if they would give the stock graceful lines. Lighten the rifle a couple pounds. Offer open sights. Leave the barrel length alone and get rid of the silencer. I am old school, but I like the lines of a prewar Haenel Model III. Slender and a joy to carry. One more request, offer it with a Walnut stock !!!
Greg,
I second that one for sure! Put it on a diet and offer open sights!
Doc
Greg426,
I agree with you about your Sig ASP20 suggestions. They could even add a tuned down .177 version for field target competitions.
Prewar Haenel Model III is beautiful. I’ve just mentioned pre war Diana 27 in my wishlist. Those prewar designs could even start a new niche trend. I know many people who’d buy one. Reasonably priced, elegant, low powered, accurate designs that won’t gall like R7s.
Yes, a de-tuned .177 would a must have for FT. With Sigs barrel and locking system, it would be a “gotta have it” for sure. I can see 1″ groups at 100 Yds. already.
Again, make it with Walnut !
Yes, yes, yes!
BB,
A compact springer or gas ram rifle would be nice.
An overlever style, so the barrel is loaded near the butt end. The barrel lays on the spring tube, and can be opened and closed for dry firing . Any PB scope can be used, because the rearward travel piston recoils in a conventional manner. This design could copy the two power levels of an HW45 pistol, since this rifle borrows the pistols basic design concept. What design software would one use for this project? I will see if I can load an old version of Autodesk Inventor on this laptop. Seems like a long way to go, but it would be a nifty rifle I think. There should be a nice aftermarket pistol stock for the P1. Curious about this front sight too.
Rob
Rob
Rob,
I will give the airgun manufacturers some time to ask me about that front sight. It would be a world-beater! 😉
B.B.
I want a pump up pneumatic that uses a valve like the Webley Alecto has one. Instead of whizzing it up to get the most out of a single stroke, I want it to be operated with 3 strokes. And a wooden ambidextrous stock, please..
Mel,
If it could do the (same) power in 3 pumps as a 10 pumper would do,.. I would take that. More power than a single pump though. I like the 880 platform and looks a lot. It does need to be more adult sized, metal breech with a good rail and open the loading port up for single load and/or include a magazine. I think that would sell like hot cakes! Oh yea,… a good LW barrel. I would pay up for all of that and 100% for sure get one,… even if it did take 10 pumps to see full power.
Chris
Chris
Pumping bites.
Using nice terms here on the blog.
I’m for the full power at 3 pumps.
GF1,
I agree. I would bet that someone has already done a full power 3 pumper (a private modder),… but I would be all over the 10 pumper if made like I said. I suppose more power might be had with an up-scaled design too (new valve/new pump piston).
The 880 has been around, for like,…. FOREVER. If there was ever a gun begging for a no brainer performance marketing upgrade,.. THAT would be the model to do it on. Just my opinion.
Chris
Chris
Don’t guess you never had a 88 apart.
I think a 760 would be easier to make more power with than the 880. As long as it had a rifleed barrel like the old 760’s had.
GF1,
Nope, never had one apart.
Chris
The Zoraki/Alecto platform is one of my favorites. Especially the Ultra version. I have used two of them in 4.5, 5.5 and 6.35 cal. The barrels are very easy to swap. Longer barrels can produce more than 12 fpe with the fourth pump. One pump is easy for kids to master without recoil or complex co2 operations.
Pitty this plant is not applied on a Bullpup stock with a longer barrel. Great all arounder.
– Diana 27 – as is, with its globe sights and etc… it was the perfect springer.
– pre war Diana 27 – as is, could be a nice low powered classical rifle. It could even start its own niche trend.
– Premium versions of Diana 280 classic and two-forty / with the same post globe sights on the 350 magnum premium.
– Hatsan 95 – no scope, no plastic parts, deleted sights. a tuned down version for field target competition.
– Proxima, no sights or plastic parts.
– 753 with 2 stage trigger.
– 2260 with 2 stage trigger and crosman custom shop options.
– .177 Optimus using the same powerplant on Tyro. Adjustable two-stage Clean Break Trigger, fibre optics on the sights removed.
Standardize the 11mm dovetail width…
Derrick,
And cut deeper. My TX200 was very shallow. The Maximus is much better and the M-rod is superb. Deeper cuts = better grip (more surface area to grip,.. and not slip).
Chris
Derrick,
The problem with that is nobody is willing to cave. So they all keep doing their own thing.
BB
BB,
“cave”? When did 11mm become an arbitrary measurement? It is,.. or it ain’t.
Chris
Chrisa,
The actual measurements range from about 9.5 to almost 14mm.
BB
BB,
As we have all learned right here on the blog over the years. I was being a bit sarcastic and was it meant as a knock to the head of the manufacturers. I did not remember the range,.. but do remember that it was abysmal.
Chris
Do away with the 11mm or any dovetail completely. Go with the Picatinny rail even if it is a bit more expensive than machining two grooves in the rifles’ action. I won’t go into the benefits as pretty much everyone who has moderate knowledge of scoop mounting and reads this blog, knows them.
As for what I’m looking for, I’m the perfect marketing dummy, er, subject. I don’t know what I want or need until the sales guys show me what I need. I’d love a Garand (not carbine) replica, either CO2 or PCP and a BAR that shoots pellets or BB’s, not air soft. That would have to be a PCP.
Any chance of a Halographic sight for under $150? Leapers/UTG – are you reading this?
Fred formerly of the DPRoNJ now happily in GA
HA! Well, you did ask what I wanted…
BB,
Do you think adding a Maximus length barrel would add any velocity to a SSP rifle like the Walther LGR?
Brent
Brent,
Is there enough air for a longer barrel?
BB
BB,
I don’t own a tier one SSP so that’s why I’m asking you? Do you think there’s enough air based on your experience? I’m guessing by your reply you think there isn’t?
Brent
Brent,
Yes, that is what I think.
BB
B.B.,
I have what I want in airguns!
I figure I’m blessed to have a room full of airguns and powder burners that meet my needs. Accessories are always welcomed :^)
Although, an ASP20 might be the break barrel that could fill that category slot since I own but one and it is really a kids rifle.
shootski
BB,
Two things: one is a shotgun and the other is also a smoothbore.
1. Under the shotgun category:
A. the Hatsan Hydra needs a shotgun barrel option.
B. A different shotgun idea is a repeater based on a 22 or 25 bore and a revolving clip similar to that of Crosman 1077. Instead of being targeted towards power for hunting, more of a sporting model for plinking and patterning. Instead of separate shotshells, the chambers of the one piece revolving clip can be reloadable with cards/wads and a punch included for making the cards. Maybe a way to repurpose the Benjamin Wildfire platform.
2. An upgrade to the idea of the BB gun in which the BB is .22 caliber steel. A spring-loaded magazine that positively feeds in a way similar to the Daisy 25’s. PCP version could be another repurpose of Benjamin Wildfire. Or a break-barrel version that includes a spring-loaded magazine to give a capacity of at least 25 rounds. .22 BB ammo could require significant initial investment though, but once developed could provide a cheap ammo source that would encourage lots of shooting and new guns to exploit the new ammo. If a PCP, the max pressure design could be 2200 psi to keep it hand pump friendly and stay with the “22” theme. Delivering 650 – 700 fps + could put in 10-12 fpe range and above, although lower velocities could also be useful and fun.
Minute,
I remember when a company offered a C02 powered .22 cal repeater but instead of steel bbs it was lead balls. It was more or less like the Umarex Morph. It had a hard DA trigger pull if I remember reading correctly. I can’t remember the brand, but it was imported. When BB tested the Morph, it was surprisingly accurate. If it would have had usable sights while in rifle form, I think it would have been better.
Doc
Dear Daisy and Crosman,
I am still shooting the multi-pump air rifle (Sheridan C-model) I got as a teen…45 years ago!
I WOULD like to buy a modern multi-pump rifle, but you are not offering what I want.
Crosman 760, Crosman model 2100, Daisy model 880, Daisy model 901…what are these guns missing?
Forget the super-cheap price; guys my age (60s) are not so much interested in that as we are in durability.
Accuracy, reliability, and durability!
How about a simple re-design of one of your rifles: wooden stock, metal receiver, and SOLID barrel (NO soda straw); and real metal “iron sights” for God’s sake! I’d rather pay $150 for something like that than $50 for one of your current plastic rifles (and by the way, I DO own and like airguns from both of you, so this is not a dig =>).
Thank you,
dave
P.S. For that price, I would not expect a walnut stock; beech is fine; I would like to see you guys make a “nostalgia rifle”…something that, each time we picked it up, would remind us of “the good old days,” exactly as this rifle from my teen years does. Thank you.
BB, I am late to the party. I am still hoping to see the PCP with the onboard scissor pump that would be easy to pump.
David Enoch
David,
Several readers have mentioned wanting to see that. Me, too! As far as I know it’s still coming.
B.B.