This report covers:
- What is good?
- Accuracy
- Great trigger
- Smooth shooting
- Quiet
- Everything in one gun
- The marketplace
Today’s report is based on a great many recent blogs. The HW 30S, HW 50S, FWB 127, HW Barakuda 54EL and others that talk specifically about what makes an airgun good all feed into this. Today we look at what makes an airgun good. And, by good, I mean desirable.
I know there is no single thing that makes an airgun good because we all look for different things. But is there a common collection of attributes we should look for, or is that unrealistic?
What is good?
To open our minds I submit the following YouTube video. It is a comparison between a $69 violin and a ten million dollar Stradivarius. The video is 11:34 long and you may not want to watch the whole thing but if you just listen to the first three minutes you will see where the presenter is going.
The thing is — just like with airguns there will be some who say they can hear the difference between the cheap violin and the Strad, but it’s not a difference worth ten million dollars. Others will say they want the sweetness of the Strad’s sound and don’t care what it costs.
And still others will like the Strad just because it is a Strad and for no other reason.
But we don’t care about violins. We like airguns. Why?
Accuracy
Is it accuracy that makes an airgun good? If so, how much accuracy is needed to get into the good category? Before you attempt to answer that question let me tell you it is impossible to do. One fellow wants to hit tin cans at 25 feet. Another wants to put 10 shots into a group that measures less than an inch at 100 meters and a third one grabs his lapel, stares into the distance while saying in a dreamy voice, “Accuracy means hitting the target. Small groups are a measure of precision, not accuracy.”
In other words — nobody agrees. You can argue this point all day and a few will back you up while most will argue that accuracy is something different. So accuracy isn’t a good way to determine whether an airgun is good.
Great trigger
Some shooters feel that a trigger that’s crisp and repeatable is what makes an airgun good. Of course all Rekord triggers make it into this group, as do all Benjamin Marauder triggers. And some other triggers can be adjusted to become crisp and repeatable, so some Dianas, some Hatsans and some other models like the Avenge-X make the cut. But this is also where many airguns miss the mark.
Smooth shooting
In this category spring-piston airguns are mostly the ones considered because pneumatics and gas guns are inherently smooth shooting. This one hits me where I live because of several spring-piston guns I have tuned to shoot super-smooth. Michael’s Winchester 427 is one and RidgeRunner’s Diana 34 is another. My own HW 50S is still another. Most TX 200s are very smooth from the factory and they can be tuned even smoother. Mine that I installed Tony Leach’s kit in is almost as smooth as a PCP.
Quiet
In this category the precharged pneumatics (PCP) lead the pack. These days if a PCP isn’t quiet it’s the kiss of death. Spring guns are noisier, though if they are smooth shooting they will be quieter than if they are not smooth.
Everything in one gun
What if everything were in the same airgun? Would a gun that’s accurate, has a great trigger, and is quiet and smooth to shoot be desirable? It would be for some folks but not for everyone. There are those who want raw power and cool tactical looks over everything else.
The marketplace
Who buys airguns? Probably 80 percent of buyers are impulse buyers in stores responding to the graphics on the box. Another 15 percent buy through the internet based on what they read on the forums. The remaining 5 percent is us. And we may not even be that large a segment of the airgun buying public.
What I’m saying is things are the way they are and the guns that are made are made the way they are because of a much larger group that doesn’t think the way we do. That is why I start cheering whenever I see a good product come to market:
Air Venturi Avenge-X
Diana 34 EMS with Vortek modifications
Benjamin Marauder
JTS Airacuda
etc.
I believe reader Kevin recently said we are living in airgunning’s golden age, and I think it’s true. Manufacturers are listening to us even though we are such a small segment of the marketplace.
Tom,
I just hope that the 5% can get the eyes and ears of the majority to swing them to the better points of airgunning. Ton Jones’ World Record shot with an airgun is one that calls out accuracy and power. The Pyramyd Cup and other competitions also emphasize accuracy and power. Hopefully the ones making the decision as to what is to be manufactured and marketed can be swayed to make more airguns that are not just powerful but accurate, and I doubt you can get accuracy without a good trigger included in the process.
Siraniko
BB
Thanks for the quick lesson on Ray Chen. According to the mighty Google
On 12 September 2022, Chen announced that he had received the 1714 Dolphin Stradivarius, which was loaned by the Nippon Music Foundation for a year. The violin was formerly played by Jascha Heifetz.
I would have to put myself into the 5 meter- 2 inch camp. BB / Bolts- no pellets. That’s why I love the Daisy 35. Light- easy to hold and if you are real careful, you can short stage the trigger. I know I’m in the minority on the site but I’m probably closer to the general air gun customer. I also think darts /bolts are the next new thing. Something very satisfying with making the shot, walking to the target and smiling. That’s my definition of a successful air gun session and what gets me shooting every day for about 30 minutes.
Kind Regards
jda001
*** Something very satisfying with making the shot, walking to the target and smiling ***
jad001,
That says it all! Sometimes we lose sight of that.
Unless shooting is your job, as a soldier, as a professional competitor or as a hunter providing food for your family, shooting should be enjoyable.
If shooting stresses you out then you should probably look for another activity 😉
Cheers!
Hank
“Unless shooting is your job, as a soldier, as a professional competitor or as a hunter providing food for your family, shooting should be enjoyable.”
Hank, that’s a great line! Shooting should be fun! 🙂
Speaking of fun, where is GunFun1? I miss him!
Roamin Greco,
I often have a confused memory but if Gunfun1 is the guy who looked forward to his retirement in October last year and then postponed it when he got promoted to trainer level in his job, then maybe that contributed toward his temporary silence here? Just a guess… 🙂
Roamin Greco, I miss him, too; hihihi, that is a pretty good guess. 😉
“Something very satisfying with making the shot, walking to the target and smiling.”
jda001, you spoke well there! 99.9% of all my shooting (the majority of which is done with airguns) is just to have fun; I’ve even managed to wring a lot of fun shooting thousands of BBs through my sub-$15 Daisy Buck model 105; you need not spend a fortune on airguns to have a good time. 😉
TGIF
By the way from what I understand we can have everything that Tom says in one gun;
Just get an AA TX 200, or an Avenge X, and you are done. So would that be the end? Let me know if you all think that way.
Bill,
Those are fine air rifles but in no way the end or done.
You have left out the 10meter shooters who are the largest number of air rifle shooters around the World.
You also left out those of us who hunt with Big Bore air rifles and pistols and need to follow some of the misguided larger caliber requirements promulgated in the various state and country hunting laws.
I’m certain i have left out others and hopefully other readers will point those holes in your list as well.
shootski
Shootski
Tom’s list, not mine.
But I think Tom in this list mentions parameters that can also be applied to big bore and athletic shooting. Don’t they all need accuracy, good trigger and smoothness?
Bill,
The AA TX200 MkIII is accurate with a wonderful trigger but it is heavy and not powerful enough for some. The Avenge X is nice and light, but some guys just want a springer. Everybody has their own idea and criteria what makes a perfect gun for them but that in itself is also a moving target. As somebody once said, “By the time we reach the goalpost somebody had moved it!”
Siraniko
I believe that our record setting shot was taken be TON Jones. I don’t mean to be petty, but a man’s name is the one thing a man keeps all his life. Orv.
Hoppalong Doc,
Thanks Orv! I corrected it after I posted it. Durn autocorrect!
Siraniko
Siraniko, don’t beat yourself up too much; a mistake, “it’s not unusual.” 😉
Hoppalong Doc,
I wonder if you knew that in some other countries it is possible for a man’s name to change. I happen to know one such man quite well who, incidentally, is also a keen airgunner and a bit of a marksman with them. 🙂
Well going on 54 years ago Miss Nancy Munroe, a cute little redhead changed her name too. She kept her first name Nancy, but decided to tie herself to my last name. Oh well. . .
Hoppalong Doc,
your wife Nancy must be an amazing person!
Don’t tell me, you left the Navy for her too?! 🙂
While TON is his chosen name, it’s not his given name…
Ian.
Well Ian, I apologize for speaking out of turn. I was responding from having seen his name as Ton from his Predator sponsorship as well as his online use of the name Ton. I’d better be quiet ’til I know w7hat I’m talking about. Orv.
The first company to put out a PCP kit that’s Big Box-friendly will arguably be the leader for the next mass trend in airgunning. Gun, hand pump, tool kit for maintenance w/ spare parts, optic w/mounts, ammo, and eye pro for under $250. Gamo Arrow (with scope mounted properly), the forthcoming Crosman 3662, and the Diana Stormrider seem to be obvious candidates for the job of bringing PCP airguns to the benighted masses.
OP,
The box store PCP has been tried and failed. Too complex for the average buyer. In fact that experience gave rise to the package contents of the first Benjamin Discovery — everything you need to get started in one box.
BB
OhioPlinker,
I like your thinking.
About the Stormrider that you mentioned: my equivalent precharged pneumatic, the PR900W, has left me underwhelmed. One day, maybe even this year, I might give it some new seals or whatever other attention it needs, to get it to work again…
What I would much rather have, is a precharged pneumatic multishot rifle with it’s own onboard air-filling mechanism, you know, like the FX Independence, Seneca Aspen, etc. But only but if it had a better reputation for reliability and flawless function. 🙂
B.B.
Sadly this is only true for PCP’s. In the last 10-15 years, the interesting and innovative springers were the Walther LGV/LGU, SIG asp, fwb 124 reintro, even the Diana EMS needed a privateer to let it full fill its designed attributes. I am just glad that anybody still makes quality springers(even if it is with 1950’s technology).
-Yogi
Not Jascha Heifetz,
He could make a $69 violin sound like $10 millions.
Sometimes it is all about the individual and not the instrument.
All the attributes of a great spring rifle:
Great trigger
Smooth shooting
Accurate
Easy cocking
And …….
May be found in an Diana 27, an FWB 124 an HW 3O
What is the mystery?
BTW
Sorry to plug this in
Hard to find
I am looking for a soda cap shot tube for a Daisy 99
If you have one for sale let me know.
Thanks
Alex2no,
Contact Tony McDaniel. He may know where to find one.
https://www.tmacsairgunservice.com/
If you hunt around, they can be found. The Daisy 25 shot tube just might fit. Wild guess on my part.
I have the 1959 Daisy 99. Pre shot tube.
Alex2no,
Also try John Groenewald at JG Airguns.
https://www.jgairguns.biz
BB
Keep your eyes open on auction sites for the same model, if you find and old non-working one, you may get it cheap and get the part you need.
I would also try Mike Baker. (Not baker Airguns guy)
This guy would get a table across from BB every Texas air gun show.
He would drive from Arizona.
And last we talked, He even has OEM grips for the crosman 38T you know the one that has the co2 cartridge holder on it snd is sometimes missing.
His email is
peter_built78@hotmail.com
That’s where I normally get my vintage parts from, then I go to the others listed.
Ian
BB
My airgun hobby began 12 years ago when I happened to click on your Pyramyd Air blog. Being a reloader, a life long exposure to and shooter of firearms of every description made me a natural to buy way too many airguns of every design. I was and am motivated by the fact I can go to my shooting range and set up targets in minutes. That sure beats the half hour drive to the nearest firearm range. Like Hank and a few others I rotate shooting everything I own and enjoy them all whether it be my Izzy 61 or Ataman P16. My accurate Ruger Yukon has a horrible trigger vs my vintage 10 meter match rifles but it gets its turn. My one requirement is a 10 shot group size of less than 1 inch at 25 yards unless design limits it to shorter distances. If sub 1/4 inch is attainable so much the better.
Airgun makers should look to the huge market of firearm owners who just like to shoot and hit what they aim at.
For anybody reading this who is considering buying their first airgun just know that there are plenty of folks here anxious to help you.
Deck
Deck,
They are looking at the firearm shooter market. The main problem is how cheap some firearms are. I have seen AR-15s in stores for $400. I have seen decent .22LRs for less than that. It is hard to provide the quality at competitive prices. That is why you are seeing so many Chinese made airguns hit today’s market.
RR
One thing firearm folks may not believe and that is a quality airgun will last just as long as a quality firearm. Once they come around to that fact they can better understand there really is no manufacturing cost advantage for either. Prices for both are determined by inflation, rarity, politics and what the market will bear.
Deck
RR look at the price of ammo!
-Y
PS $400 AR’s probably are less accurate at 100 yards than a well tuned PCP .25 slug gun.
A good gun typically brings a smile to the shooter’s face when he shoots it. Same thing with the violin analogy (watch his face as he plays). But most important, a good gun (in the hands of someone who can shoot well) scares the begeebees out of wabbits.
Guns, like musical instruments, are tools. Using the correct tool for the intended purpose makes a big difference. Watch a guitarist play on stage. Often times he will switch to different guitars in order to get the exact sound he wants for a particular song. Same with shooting guns. We need different guns for different situations. Also the gun ideally should fit the shooter’s size requirements. So, the list of what makes a good gun is likely to be a little different for each person and his purposes.
Elmer,
My dog has killed all of the wabbits around here. She is now working on the fuzzy-tailed tree rats. She also manages to keep the deer at bay. If it was not for her, we would be overrun with critters. Mrs. RR will not let me shoot anything but paper, feral soda cans, spinners and the like. At least she does encourage me to do that.
A guy I used to work with said he would leave a few cigarettes on a table outside their house each morning as he left to go to work. His wife claimed she wasn’t finding any cigarettes. Then he said he found this image on a game camera…
Hahahahahha! 🙂
Elmer Fudd,
I suppose this also explains Rudolph, eh? 🙂
LOL, perhaps it does!
RidgeRunner, we have lots of does that live on our 15-acre mini-farm year round; but even during the Fall, I can’t hunt them, since my wife has NAMED them all! Yes, they are her pet does, and I must leaven them alone. 😉
The dog, the hawks and the owls are allowed to hunt, but I am not. The deer are pretty safe from everything.
“The dog, the hawks and the owls are allowed to hunt, but I am not.”
LOL! 😉
I left out the snakes. I have come across a couple of those hunting little birdies.
Your wife just might be saving your life! You know that the prion associated with Bovine Encephalopathy, the wasting disease, is now present in the elk and deer herds? It transmits to humans. It takes a long time to finally destroy the brain stem.
I wouldn’t eat deer meat that had not been tested in a lab. There is a strong recommendation that those who do consume venison avoid the brain and spinal tissues to reduce the risk of the wasting disease. When it is found in cattle, they kill and dispose of the whole herd. The beef controls are better than wild critters….
So, you wife is protecting you from yourself. Let Bambi play. Shoot him with felt pellets if he decides to eat your rose bushes or raspberry canes. Don’t volunteer for severe cerebral dementia!
LFranke,
I have indeed heard of such.
Though I intend to live for a long time, I have learned that my life here is quite finite.
I quit hunting back in 1985. I no longer needed to hunt to feed myself or my family. I will only kill Bambi and friends if I once again need to feed my family. We will just have to take our chances then.
I do appreciate your concern.
Good points Elmer!
The right tool for the job is important.
When my wife comments on me showing interest/appreciation for an airgun I quickly point out that the reason she has a variety of pots is the same reason that I need (yet) another airgun. 😉
Caution using that approach to buying airguns – I get away with it because we’ve been married 49 years. Actually my wife is the one who encourages my airgun addiction 🙂
Cheers!
Hank
ROTFWL! Not even this “5%” can agree on what a fine airgun is!
Yogi is at one end of the spectrum and shootski is at the other. I do have to give shootski credit for finally trying some high quality sproingers. Yogi? I am sure he has tried some of the top shelf PCPs and is not that impressed.
Me? I am all over the place. I like good quality, no matter what it is. I mostly look for the different ways that folks solved the same problems.
I have some real nice 2 stage triggers. I also have some real nice single stage triggers. I have some of both that are so-so.
I have had the one hole at 10 meters and the 10 shots in one inch at 100 yards. At present, I have three Webleys. If you think they are accurate, you have never shot a Webley. I just enjoy rebuilding and shooting these “old gals” and seeing what they can do. I have been quite impressed by some of them.
BB and I sometimes banter about my being “cheap”. Although I am very frugal at times, I will shell out the bucks for quality if I have them. You can ask Mrs. RR about that. She has a new kitchen and nice landscaping around RRHFWA.
Sometimes you can pick up top shelf airguns at very reasonable prices. You have to be patient and search out these deals, ready to take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself. This is why I like going to airgun shows. When he was younger, BB used to go to all of them. That is how I met him.
You can hang out online at ebay and some of the auction sites, but you had better watch them. You can never be sure of the condition of what you buy until it arrives and some of those folks seem to be building their retirement funds on the sale of a few airguns.
Every once in a while, the generosity of this bunch comes shining through. I have been the recipient of such and have done what I can to pay such forward to others. Some things I have sold for what I considered very reasonable prices and some things I have just given away.
As far as the manufacturers are concerned, most of the folks here do not shop for airgun stuff at the big box stores. I never have. I do understand that many newbies will start there and that is where the manufacturers make their bread and butter.
There are some online stores out there that have quite a nice selection of good and bad airgun stuff. It is still up to the buyers to “know” what they are putting their money down for. This is where people like BB come in. These people show us what a particular airgun is all about. If we are fortunate, they will be totally honest and throw away the hype and show us the good, the bad and the ugly.
It still comes down to “different strokes for different folks”. Each of us is an individual and each of us will look for different things. Each of us has certain “boxes” to check off before we plop down our money on something.
If they want my attention, they need to make something with a bit more quality that will likely be cared for by someone who has an idea what they really have. A good portion of my “collection” of airguns has been around for close to one hundred years, some over. To be around that long requires a certain level of quality and a certain amount of TLC.
Well said RR!
By the length of the post I can see you are settling into retirement – nice to have to rush off to work eh?
Cheers!
Hank
Oh yes!
I have said before that I believe I live in a different airgun world.
I have no one single reason for buying most airguns other than I like it and collect them. It is only possible because of my financial situation.
I have singled out some for a particular reason but a lot of them I just get and determine what it’s good for, after I get it, and accept it as is. As far as performance goes anyway.
I have more than one of just about everything, so I don’t necessarily need to improve on one to get the performance I want at any given time. I use the one that has it already. I am not limited to one or two airguns to make the most of.
A while back I questioned why someone would spend time and money to modify an airgun to make it perform like one that already exists instead of just getting one. Cost and the enjoyment of successful tinkering to make it so. I have enjoyed the challenge myself for various reasons.
A long time ago I wanted to rebuild my first air rifle, a Daisy 1894 springer. So, I purchased a then new Winchester 1894 for parts. Just about nothing was interchangeable and it was severely underpowered.
Air was still hissing out of the barrel long after the BB left it. Found the air passage tube was drilled out much smaller to restrict the air and reduce the FPS.
But, there was no real harsh slamming of the piston. It must have slowed down on an air cushion that eventually blead off.
Seems to me there may be something there to look into to enhance the performance of springers, or gas pistons. Compressed air management for power and ‘effective’ snubbing. Throw in a dual action or ratcheting spring compression mechanism and a magazine and you have a new airgun design. Easy? No.
Bob M,
You are on the cusp of knowing the secrets of a good quality sproinger.
One that is correctly made will “bounce” off of the compressed air, sometimes more than once, before the piston reaches the end of the compression tube AND before the pellet even exits the barrel. This is one of the reasons why sproingers are so difficult to shoot accurately.
Gas springs will “bounce” less, if at all. This is why they can be quite harsh to shoot in the lighter airguns.
There are a few PCPs and SSPs that have multiple power settings, depending on how far they are cocked. I am not sure of sproingers. Can this be done? Actually, a lot easier than you think. The difficult part will be convincing the manufacturers to quit chasing velocity and power. There are actually some of us who just do not care about that.
BB,
LOL! You should have saved this one for Friday!
RR,
Oh, I have a great one for Friday! 😉
BB
BB,
I cannot wait if it is going to top this one!
Thanks BB,
I like this type of blog – for the comments as much as the content. By the comments, you get the know the people here – their likes, dislikes, preferences …and their quirks 😉
I can determine the environment and intended use of a (wooden) bow by looking at it’s materials and design. Similarly you can tell a lot about the shooter by their airgun preferences.
Myself, I’m all over the map. Casual plinking to 10 meter target to benchrest shooting – but if you could look in my gun cabinet you’d see a preference for decent quality .22 caliber, 30 fpe PCPs. That defines my main interests: plinking, pesting and hunting, shooting small targets in the 25 to 45 yard arena.
As to what makes a good airgun, I’d say good value and good quality. But what defines “good”?
I see the value scale as – junk, entry level, mid-stream, serious amateur, professional and way over priced. You choose per budget and interest level. I think of myself as a serious amateur.
What “good quality” is depends on the individual. I define a quality product as something that exactly meets the requirements of the job. Considering my musical skills, a $69 violin is a good quality instrument 😉
IMHO there is no such animal as a perfect airgun… so that means we need (at least) one for every discipline we want to explore. 🙂
Cheers!
Hank
I believe that there is a segment of the market that are airgunners that like to tinker more than they shoot.
Tuning a springer their way for their desired outcome thrills them.
Now that we have pcp’s with hst adjusters, plenum adjusters/plenum options, hammer weight options, barrel options, barrel tensioners, etc., etc. pcp’s have become a tinkerer’s dream. Affordable cnc machines and mini lathes have allowed these tinkerer’s to tune for slugs or pellets and increase shot count/efficiency on a pcp platform that continue to amaze me.
This is a side to the airgunning hobby that I have very little interest in but greatly admire.
Kevin,
Well then — you are going to appreciate Friday’s report!
BB
It is all about expectations. When you know what you want you will perhaps find some airgun which makes you happy forever. If you have cosmic expectations, you will never find this one airgun anyway. If you don’t know what you want you will be looking a long time and you have a chance to be satisfied – but if for ever is the question.
For people like me, which are engineering-sick, there is a hard way open. I will like to buy cheap stuff and make it shootable (tune training platform), if it will be shootable I will be happy but respectable to level of this shootability. I will not be totally happy!
I have tuned FWB300s and now it is like a polite PCP, the best springer mechanism I ever had, I don’t expect to find something better. Am I happy? Yes… but. Sometimes I need a BÄÄÄÄNG! and decompressed air / CO2 cloud coming out, and some recoil, or demonic recoil of crazy stron springer pushed to the top you can get out of it.
Can I be happy at all? I have many different airguns, each makes me partially happy. I need them all to have some collective cloud of airgun happiness around me. Never could be as far with one airgun only.
I must live with not being completely happy and that is the truth.
What was unexpected during my short vacatian end of year? I took only 4 pistols and one rifle with me to Poland! For me it is like a lady having only one bag for the trip 😀 Mostly I shot Crosman2240 (which I tuned only a little). I had a lot of fun because of the BÄÄÄNG it makes. And it is accurate enough, I got nice groups at 28 yards. I would never expect – few months earlier – that I will do shooting end of year like this.
What is the essence? You can’t be happy if you are deep into this hobby :=) sometimes I wish I could have just one, “this one” airgun…
*** I have many different airguns, each makes me partially happy. I need them all to have some collective cloud of airgun happiness around me. ***
Thanks tomek!
That explains a lot of how I feel as well. I’ll print that and stick it to my gun cabinet!
Cheers!
Hank
Hank,
This is I’m getting old I guess 🙂 Recently many friends are printing something which I said in a moment of unstoppable wisdom 🙂
I will add “moment of unstoppable wisdom” to my book of Tomek-isms. You are a mine of precious gems!
THX
Tomek
Since you mentioned tuning FWB 300s I wonder if you could give me some advice about the trigger of a 300s Junior I got yesterday. I would like it heavier since I find it very light for my experience. After 20 shots I found the point where the first stage ends but it’s like a hair trigger.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Bill,
Before you increase the trigger pull weight do me a small favor please. Take a square of medium-coarse Emory Cloth (sand paper) and lightly rub the contact point on your trigger finger before you start shooting.
See if that increases your feel for the trigger.
shootski
Shootski
Are you trying to get me into the competition trigger world my friend?
Then what will I do with the rest of my guns, besides sending them to RR.
Humor aside I already have a feeling of the first to second stage step but I will certainly follow your advice. Thank you.
Βασιλη! Μόνο τον Ρέντζ Ρένερ; Με ξεχασες!
;(
Χαχαχα
Bill,
Actually no.
But that trick works for most things that require preloading the nervous system. I do much the same thing on the nonskid on starting blocks/beach sand with hands/feet before swimming, hands before paddling….
shootski
Bill,
There is the first trigger adjustement screw looking from the barrel – you should turn it right a bit (turn in). This should be it. If you would like to do more fine tune you will have to check the manual.
Please be careful – do not turn those adjustement screws without noticing the start position.
If you go to https://www.feinwerkbau.de/en/service/downloads/technical-information/manuals#luftgewehre you will find the manual for model 300.
If this direct link does not work please go to https://www.feinwerkbau.de/en/ (homepage) and through service – downloads you will finally find it. There are also pictures and it is more clear how to operate with everything you can adjust.
Regardless to how it seems, these are merely my thoughts and opinions, ie I would definitely want to edit them after cooling off, ie after the half hour window:
“People are listening”, besides those listeners who comment, who are these listening people?
I think the obvious answer is, without any reaction from them, it does not matter! And by “reaction” I don’t mean they have to comment here, after all, there’s life outside of this blog… and so, it doesn’t matter who those listeners are who don’t react anywhere. 🙂
Actually today’s article’s last sentence claims that manufacturers listen to us.
B.B. Pelletier has their occasional ear, no doubt. 🙂
———
What makes an airgun good, meaning desirable? Well, effective advertising does.
For example, exposing the hoped-for group of future customers to repeated association of an airgun with a positive emotion and thereby also spreading awareness of it.
The key word here is “emotion”, because isn’t that what desire is?
Trouble is, too many sellers then make the stupid (!) error of trying to create the winning card at Trumps by offering unrealistic facts. This is so endemic that no consumer believes them anymore.
I used to consult reviews of whatever product I was interested in. Infuriatingly, the sellers know that and so, nowadays, far too many of those reviews are paid for. 🙁
———
Truth is a seriously endangered thing, including the original meaning of the word. Far too often, I find myself looking for the true truth about something and how weird does that, in itself, sound?
———
About that youtube video, OH DEAR!
For someone allergic to pop-ups, I found it, especially the beginning, somewhat disagreeable. I don’t know how I managed. 🙁
Besides, I do not believe that youtube can possibly represent the genuine sound of a Stradivarius, let alone via mobile phones or my ipad.
I now realise, I should very much like to hear a Stradivarius played directly ! 🙂
I am not an audiophile, very far from it, but I don’t believe that airgun manufacturers place quality of sound, or rather shooting results very high.
Rather, I imagine them all down at the trough, churning up the mud while noisily jostling to get their snouts into the deepest slop.
Buyers too, often are equally as money focussed.
Imagine buying the very best, intending to only enjoy it’s financial accrual. The other end of that same thinking, someone searching to acquire an item at below current market value in order to feel a bit smug.
By the way, I understand that, among the hundreds of genuine Stradivarius violins still in existence, the only one that Antonio Stradivarius’ kept for himself throughout his violin making life, called The Messiah, is reputed to be the absolutely best violin (!) and still in such superb condition as to be unplayable. I understand the reasoning and yet…
Happily I am not aware of such in the airgun world. 🙂
———
Finally, I am a hypocrite! Why else would I have felt a little giddy at the mere thought of a $69 airgun with equal qualities as that $69 violin?!
hihihi,
“Truth is a seriously endangered thing, including the original meaning of the word.”
I think the truth you write of (and long for) has always been an endangered thing since the beginning. For fleeting moments it flickers in and out of existence.
Then it is right back to getting…”their snouts into the deepest slop.”
I will tell you that hearing a Stradivari or any other SPECIAL musical instrument in person is different every time based on the listening space and even the effects of the weather on the instrument. I remember hearing the Wiener Symphoniker (The Vienna Symphony is an Austrian orchestra based in Vienna. Its primary concert venue is the Vienna Konzerthaus.) in the Winter and in the Spring what the audience is wearing in clothing weight/material changes the sound dramatically.
Having played in orchestra i got to hear how just a change in player on the same instrument changes the sound.
So each airgun is different even when built by the same builder in the hands of a shooter it will be different.
The difference is the builders skill and that is a truth you and many who while away a moment or two reading this Blog will no doubt appreciate; it is called Craftsmanship!
shootski
shootski,
incredible to imagine sound being influenced merely by the audience’s choice of apparel. I didn’t know that!
My girlfriend has been to Vienna due to her interest in dressage but I have yet to visit Sachertorte town. Suffice to say, it’s on my bucket list. 🙂
Sadly my hearing is not very good. My sound sensors cannot detect certain frequencies well and the higher ones not at all. For example, I associate the sound of crickets with wonderfully warm summer and yet I have not heard them in decades. Happily, there are cicadas and even some noisy tree frogs to delight me… ! 🙂
Another of my sound handicaps is brain related. I struggle to reproduce a sound, any sound, even immediately after hearing it. Oh, I can tell harmony from disharmony but I am unable to use my hearing to control any instrument, especially my voice.
So, I look forward to celebrating Advent at Mum’s when friends, family and I pretend to be singing carols beautifully…
… and end up laughing lots. 🙂
You are of course right about the analogy of musical instrument and airgun, especially in repect of the added dimension of the operator.
I believe I am able to demonstrate how a supposedly precise airgun in your hands can deliver entirely different results in another’s… ! 🙂
hihihi,
You make the best of it.
That is what counts.
As long as your nose and taste buds are working get the Spargel Creme Suppe, real Wiener Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn, Melange, Kuchen, and more and more and more Wein while enjoying the foodie heaven that is Wien.
Don’t forget the food and flower Markets.
shootski
PS: You and your girlfriend need to get to The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation, based in Jerez de la Frontera.
And the FINO is wonderful too!
shootski,
I read aloud your previous to my girlfriend.
I don’t think Vickie took any notice of your dry sherry recommendation because she was already busy opening her laptop,
asked me to repeat the name of the equestrian place and found their website online.
Then she said,”hmm, ah, oh”,
“didn’t know it existed.”
“Definitely sounds like something I would like to do”,
seeing a selection of videos “[high pitched] hmm”,
watches a video, again “hmm”,
“tell him, Thank You Very Much.”
“I would be quite interested in going erm…”,
distracted by another video, this time showing the capriole, ie a rearing horse that then is also asked to jump and kick out with both back legs
“mmm” in slightly lower tone,
whilst we both remember how Nativo, her Spaniard, is all too quick to kick…
So, on behalf of both of us: thanks shootski. 🙂
How is it that you know of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation?
hihihi,
My wife an i lived in Andalusia for seven years and were regularly in Jerez de la Frontera. We both were horse people at various times in our lives but certainly more Western/practical than dressage. We also rented our house from one of the Sherry Barons.
If you two visit do not miss eating at: https://www.andalucia.org/en/jerez-de-la-frontera-where-to-eat-gaitan
The King and Queen are known to eat here (if that matters) as long ago as the late 1970’s when we first found it while out walking.
Jerez is a place that needs to be on your bucket list moe than once.
shootski
shootski,
seven years in Spain, eh? Didn’t expect that. You definitely have some stories to tell!
Later on this year, it’ll be our seventh anniversary of being in France.
PS Vickie asked me to thank you again. So there, job done! 🙂
hihihi,
Please tell her she is very welcome.
So many good people have helped me in my time on this Planet i try to do as well.
You should never feel obligated to me in any way if i share knowledge obtained without great effort by me in my in my sojourns.
The Costa dela Luz is a wonderful place to vacation or live; both economically or extravagantly.
shootski
B.B.,
My Winchester 427 is still as smooth shooting as just after you tuned it. So is my Walther LGV that you tuned. Is it a coincidence that my smoothest-shooting springers are the two you tuned? No, I don’t believe in coincidences. :^)
Michael
BB,
Thank you for including that Ray Chen video to make your point.
I watched the entire thing; that young man has got some skills.
The thing that freaked me out is how casually he switched violins…such confidence.
I would be AFRAID to even pick up that Stradivarius…AFRAID I would drop it!!!
Like my wife said, it’s likely insured through the roof.
Still, I’d be afraid to hold an instrument that expensive in my arthritic hands, LOL! 🙂
Thank you for this interesting report and the comments it produced.
Blessings to you,
dave
dave,
I think that instrument is on long-term loan to him. He is considered one of the top 5 violinists in the world.
BB
“He is considered one of the top 5 violinists in the world.”
Amen! He’s awesome, even more so because he comes across as humble, too. 😉
Maybe airgun manufacturers should listen carefully, not only to actual/potential customers, but also to their design, engineering and manufacturing employees when considering what kind of products they should make and what level of quality these products should have. Consciously or not, FM believes, humans chase too much after perfection and the truth is, this world ain’t perfect.
FawltyManuel,
It is the: glass half empty or half full problem.
I think this Earth is pretty close to perfection; haven’t seen any reports on other planets that i would relocate to with their polluted atmospheres (or NO atmosphere) inhumane global Hot or Cold, lack of Flora and Fauna, and airguns!
shootski
You mean you wouldn’t love to share a meal of Poop-grown Potatoes with Matt Damon on Mars, shootski? Plus, think of the airgunning possibilities there – unlimited backyards, no need for target backstops and many other benefits. 🙂
FawltyManuel,
Matt Damon from Hollywood?
Not even if they brought in EXTRA Crispy French Fries to the film set.
I have a really hard time suspending disbelief on most Hollywood stuff; too many things that are not technically or historically correct ruin most of the genres for me!
Sad really.
shootski
“Probably 80 percent of buyers are impulse buyers in stores responding to the graphics on the box.”
BB,
I really feel for that 80 percent.
Fortunately, in 8th grade, I knew a friend who had a Sheridan; that’s what led me to ask my Dad for one.
My second air rifle was the .177 RWS 45 that was sold to me by an honest gent who, although he did not use the term “artillery hold,” told me to “hold the rifle gently;” and soon learned to be accurate with it.
My third bit of good fortune was that I happened upon an ARH catalog and a couple of Beeman catalogs.
That led to the purchase of my third an rifle, an R7 in .177 caliber.
What a fantastic little shooter that was, especially after I mounted a fixed 3X Beeman scope.
Even though I “got stupid” and sold that gun, I cried enough about it that my wife bought me a .22 HW30S.
And that has proved to be just as delightful as the old R7.
I just got through with a long session with the HW30S on the 15-yard range and the 40-yard range.
Although it’s freezing out, I was having so much fun seeking targets at which to plink I didn’t want to stop.
And that is why I really feel sorry for that 80 percent.
Had they happened upon your blog before they bought an airgun, they might have gotten an HW30S.
THAT would have been a great way to get started in airgunning.
They would have been rewarded with a gun that’s easy to hit with.
THEN they could have moved on to more power, if needed, but it would have been controllable power…
…something like an HW50S or a TX200.
Sadly, many of them likely bought a magnum springer with harsh firing behavior that’s hard to shoot accurately…when they could have started out with a leg up on things if only they had read this blog.
Hopefully, some of them will start to wonder, “did I make a mistake,” and find this blog.
One can only hope. 🙂
Blessings to you,
dave
AM I ALONE ?
I like having a choice of airgun to plink with when I’m in the mood. 🙂
Therefore they are more like a toy than a tool.
To me, an airgun does not have a gender. 🙁
Nor would I dream of giving it a pet name.
In this regard, I imagine to be in the minority, but, I wonder, am I the only one?
hihihi,
Toy or tool: depends
Gender: no
Pet Name(s): no
Your imagination is running away with you on this one.
shootski
“I like having a choice of airgun to plink with when I’m in the mood. 🙂 ”
hihihi, I concur with that sentiment; I keep a half dozen different plinkers about.
I take whichever one suits my mood at the time; but all the airguns here get used. 🙂
thedavemyster,
I sometimes look at my toys with an empty mind, hoping for some spontaneous inspiration as to which one to pick. This has yet to work, ie I still have to decide deliberately.
How do you reduce your plinking choice of airguns to a mere half dozen?