Page 7 - Benjamin Trail NP Reviews

Ergonomics, fit and finish, power (I have the .22), scope (AO), nitro pistol smooth cocking, free sling that's actually worth something. All in all, a great rifle for the price.

Pretty nasty trigger that, as others say, isn't up to snuff with the rest of the quality on this gun. It's long, creepy and doesn't break crisply at all -- I plan on doing tjhe GRTIII upgrade ASAP. The gun is a little on the heavy side if you're lugging it around (thus the free sling), and compared to some of the Gamos these days it's a real brute. (Though I can't speak to the quality of those guns since I don't own one. I just know from handling them in Bass Pro Shop they're very light.) Would have been kind of cool if iron sights were also included, but the barrel is shrouded and such and I haven't seen how manufacturers do front iron sights well with those. Lastly, I've only tried two types of pellets in this gun now, but both have been quite a tight fit. Wouldn't mind seeing that adjusted, though maybe that's just an artifact of the tight tolerances of the gun. Iron Sights

A great buy, super-quality gun. Be aware it's an "adult" gun -- I saw one reviewer mention that his nine year old can cock it, but I'm thinking maybe that kid is on the roids -- my eight year old can barely even lift this gun to his shoulder, and probably can't break it to *begin* cocking it. It's also extremely powerful -- I don't have a chrony (yet!), but while plinking recently my son and I were shooting at a steel water bottle and merely denting it with a variety of 350-500fps bb and pellet guns... along comes this Benjamin and WHAM -- right through both sides, a clean look that looked like it was left by a .22 LR bullet. Pretty crazy. For that reason, not recommended for indoor shooting -- I have the heavy Champion backstop, and while that stands up to the abuse the Trail dishes out, the pellets virtually disintegrate! Not what you want in the air inside.

Very nice gun. Craftsmanship is good.

Needs a softer trigger. Pyramydair - please use UPS shipping, FedEx is the worst ever. I had to drive 10 miles to pick up the package because they try to deliver at 1:00pm when everyone is at work. The box was dirty, torn and mashed. UPS delivers no earlier than 4:00pm and the packages are always in excellent shape.

I would like the gun to be lighter in weight.

This is the most accurate and QUIET pellet rifle I've ever shot. Right out of the box, scope mounted put dime groups at 50ft. A few clicks on the scope @ 25 yards and put 4 shots in a row in the same hole! Scope is surprisingly precise, clear and easy to adjust. You can adjust it from 30ft to infinite. The pistol grip is a nice feature as well. The stock is polymer composite with an all steel rifled barrel. Feels great when you pull it up to target. It's very well made and I really can't say anything negative about it. The rodent and varmit population has taken a hit but that's ok if they are a nuissance (at least in my book!). You also get 500 free hollow points with this gun and it comes with a strap (not the best, but the other companies don't include one for the most part). I use the Predator Polymags and this rifle seems to love it. An all around total blast from target shooting to varmit control.

Trigger is a little uncomfortable and long. Did some adjusting to shorten it but still is pretty long. May look into replacing this trigger. In no way would I not buy this rifle for this reason though, I just prefer a shorter pull. It's pretty heavy the description says 8 lbs. I scaled it and it's about 9.5 pounds with the scope. So I would not recommend this for anyone under 18. It's an adult rifle.

The barrel takes a little breaking in at first. It's a little difficult to break it the first few shots but loosens up after about 50 or so. It's also pretty loud at first, the break in period is 100 shots and then the NP gets much quieter. No neighbors would have a clue unless you are right on top of each other. Have fun and be SAFE!

very nice scope and easy to cock

trigger pull is funny at first

i wanted an accurate, economical gas piston rifle for 45 yrd targets in back yard. +1 shroud +2 weaver mount +3 pistol grip +4 synthetic stock(I know...I'm supposed to love wood) +5 sling +6 fps/size (feels like I'm getting mid to low 8's with14.5 but I'm judging on what I was getting out of a whisper with a 13g .177cal. I was willing to sacrifice some fps to have shorter gun. xl is ginormous.) +7 trigger(only because when I got my whisper I got 2 grt3 triggers and was able to just drop it in for a perfect trigger) +8 phillips head (yay!! I got to use regular screwdrivers) +9 cost(state tax return covered it)

right off the bat... -1 scope(issue1: could not hit drop point with a stock scope? tried at 10 20 30 and 40 yrds. they should have compensated with the weaver mount or supplied suitable rings. issue 2: i don't want the scope anyway. Just take 10 bucks off and I'll order a better one from PyramydAir.) -2 rough edges(to be expected with a synthetic stock but things like my front sling sitting offset and the roller in the break mechanism scraping the channel inside of the stock should be fixed. This doesn't affect the performance of the rifle, just annoys me a little. And one tiny 1mm spot discolored on underside of barrel.) [3 and 4 are also positives] -3 trigger(get a grt3 preemptively) -4 fps/size(c'mon I'll eat my spinach. Pump in the air) -5 DUHHH! (Its not a 50 cal sniper rifle, give me some fiber optic sights)

9 super positives and 4 not very negatives and 1 I want my front and rear sights before I lose my mind negative...Benjamin Trail NP is a winner. Be prepared to... 1 shim the scope rings...and then shim a bunch more 2 replace trigger(to new airgunners, This is pretty easy and innexpensive.) 3 get sloppy with all the new airgun lubricant 4 get a new scope 5 get creative...this thing wants to hit objects more than paper targets. Plums are cool when you hit em dead center. Nip bottles filled with colored water are good too. 6 target shooting is addictive...remember to set an alarm if you got something to do.

The balance and quality is great. The scope is very nice and easy to zero. It is very quiet for the .22 which I shoot inside all the time. It is a nice rifle for small game hunting. I would recommend this rifle. It is not a toy! It is the quitest rifle out there. I did not go with the XL to try to get the quietest rifle. Can't say because I don't own an xl but it is very quiet. I like the fact it is a combo with a sling included. Nothing else to buy but the pellets. I use the 14.3 hollow point by Benjamin. They work fine once you reach the break in period and replace the trigger.

As in other posts the trigger is aweful. I immediately ordered the GTR-III from charlie the tuna. What a difference. Benjamin should put these triggers in from the factory. The accuracy is off with difficulty holding groups until the break in period of about 200-300 pellets is met. It will then stack the pellets one on another at 15 yards.

Pyramyd Air is very fast on shipping. They are quick to respond to questions and back the products they sell. I recommend them and will do business with them in the future. Thanks you Pyramyd Air!

Looks awesome, feels solid and balanced. I live on the edge of town so the low noise doesn't attract attention from neighbors or the constable. Still breaking it in, but its accuracy improves each time I use it. Having moved from the country, the NP replaced my Ruger 10/22. I think the NP is more fun than a rimfire! And Pyramyd Air shipped it super fast.

The trigger is really imprecise. Someday I'll order an upgrade from charliedatuna.com.

This is a different gun here but its a nice gun its heavy smooth and is a good trainer if ya shoot m4 and such. like the pistol grip gives the feeling of an AR type weapon

Trigger is creepy and long takes some breaking in

This rifle loves the cphp crosman premier hollow points and it will shoot the rws pointed pellets as well. cant get consistancy with diabolo pellets, just dont like em which is a shame cause they expand so well I like wadcutters.Ive did a lot of research from pro reviews and they all agree that about 680 fps is all your gona get out of this even after lube and shiming the breach seal. It is very quiet but I like at least 750 fps with a .22 which is what my Beeman shoots. The talon magnum now that gun shoots 950 fps all day long and with great accuracy but man shes a heavy girl around eleven lbs with a centerpoint 3-16x scope takes out the fun there for field hard to hold great for bench shooting but hard to hold in a standing position Back to the trail you can feel the quality in this gun I put on a lighter scope the one that came with the talon magnum and put a centerpoint 3-16 x on the talon then the beeman got the centerpoint that came with this gun.It just didnt work with this gun the red dot leapers golden image works well with this one too

The price is amazing for what you get. I was leary of the scope, but it turned out to be very good. The rifle is very powerful (mine is in 22 cal) and the stock is very comfortable. Fit and finish is wonderful and it is very quiet. I have over 500 shots through it and it just gets quieter and smoother. I'm going to give these to all of my nephews and nieces for Christmas. I want to try the XL next.

The trigger is awful!! If there is anyway to change it for an up-grade, I want to know about it. This trigger has to go! The safety is NOT automatic. So be careful.

I have gone through several aluminum scope rings on this gun from loosening and overtightening. Change to steel rings

Outstanding out of the box shooter. Pyramyd Air is and excellent source for all my needs and I appreciate their customer service and super fast shipping!

Looks, accuracy. I enjoy shooting this rifle.

Provide lower scope mounts and a better trigger.

I have a GRT III trigger installed. I followed two sets of instructions: Charlie DaTuna's and two videos that were posted on YouTube. I watched the vidoes and read the instructions more than once. Neither type of instructions gave the 2-stage trigger or the light trigger pull that others have reported in these reviews. The manual that came with the rifle notes that it contains materials that California recognizes as "known carcinogens," and that you should wash your hands after using the rifle.

Solid, high-end construction with a budget price. The Nitro piston is definitely smoother and quieter. The Rubberized stock with the heel on the grip is a definite tactical finish, with superior ergonomics. My gun shot the best with Beeman Kodiak Double Gold 21.14 gr pellets, which I have become a huge fan of, and use in several other guns. The target was placed at 40 yards, and although not impressive by a marksman's standards, shows great potential for a gun that needs another hundred pellets or so to fully break in.

Like others said, the trigger is not perfect. I can work with it, but it could be crisper. Nothing a few hundred pellets and good lube won't fix.

This is a long and beefy gun. Not for the small framed or lightweight rifle type. The scope offers bright sight acquisition and zeroes nicely. I am not sure why it got a poor review from another user, that has put less than a dozen shots through the barrel of this wonderful gun. Surely it takes that long just to say hi to the gun. When adding a bipod or other accessory like a laser or light, be sure to use a barrel clamp type mount, whether direct-to-device or as a rail interface. Also, IMPORTANT: Leave a clearance of 2.25 inches minimum, forward of the line where the barrel becomes a bull barrel, and mount your clamp, bipod or light there. This will ensure that as you cock the rifle, it will not be blocked by the accessory. Also, place your bipod so that the legs fold forward, for the same reason. It will save you time and hassle. (See the pics I uploaded) Out of the box (OTB) the gun will shoot all over the place, but will start to break in nicely. The target pic uploaded shows my unedited, raw and virgin shots with this rifle at a distance of 40 yards (not 40 feet). I know the accuracy will be great with continued use, and I will be taking the advice of Brian to tighten the bedding screws as well. All in all - a great gun I am glad I purchased, and am looking forward to using for many many years. Get one before the price hikes or something. I truly beleive you will like it.

Almost everything.

Not much.

For sure! with this gun and i suspect almost all breakbarrels it is very important to accuracy and grouping consistency to tighten the three main screws that hold the action in the stock! After my otherwise amazing grouping wandering arround after about 300 shots i finally checked the screws and found them to be loose. I highly recomend removing these and putting Loctite Threadlocker on them then run then down quite snug; blue works fine although the little dabb they put from the factory does nothing. After doing this my grouping quit moving and the screws don't back out from the recoil vibration.

Value for money is fantastic. The Nitro Piston and Scope cost as much to purchase as the gun does and you get a very nice sling with it. Well built, smooth shooting after just 20 rounds. Good power. I will not comment on accuracy until my GRT III trigger gets here other than to say that I can hit pine cones at 20-30 yards.

Yea, you guessed it, trigger is garbage. My box even says adjustable 2-stage trigger. It is not a true 2-stage, as the 1st stage does nothing, only trigger spring uptake. I'm hoping the GRT III trigger is as good as all the reviews, cause this gun has potential.

I am just getting back into airgunning after about 8 years. I wanted a quality but affordable break-barrel and this gun so far seems to be exactly what I wanted. When I shot before I had high quality target and field airguns. I don't expect this gun or any gun to ever replace my loved HW97K that I sold 8 years ago, but for the money this appears to be a great way to get into, or back into, airgunning.

Fit. Finish. Appears well made (for the most part) for the money

The trigger is a joke. I ordered a new one like others have.

I'm still waiting to put more than a dozen pellets through this gun. Pyramyd Air had it to me a day after I ordered it, but either the scope or mounts were bad and I could not zero in the windage. I ran out of adjustment. After talking to PA my options were to send the whole gun back on my dime, or send the scope to Crossman, just over in the next state. I opted for sending the scope back and they received it last week, but after I talked to Crossman today, obviously anxious to find out when they shipped it, they said it would be another week or two before the new scope was sent out... I don't get it. I'm not very happy with post sale customer service at this point. And without iron sights I can't even plink. If anyone owns a Bushnell trail cam, you know what I'm talking about. Excellent when it's working right, but when it's not be prepared to be without for a while. Because of this I gave it a two across the board.

First and foremost was Price,same day shipment and 2 day delivery.Solid feel,accuracy out of the box,power,great scope.Will compete with higher cost guns in its class.

The trigger.The GRTIII is a no brainer.I understand the original trigger will become sweet when broken in,but i didn't have the patience to wait.

First,i changed the trigger before the first shot.Sighted in at 20yds with 10 shots out of the box.next 10 shots @ 20 yds= 3/4" hole with no fliers(JSB EXACT 14.3 gr).150 shots later,can do 1 1/2' group @ 40 yds.This was benched shooting free handed.Now I'm searching for the best hold

The most accurate air gun ive fired,very quiet ,shoots well with all pellet formats,likes the flat heads best

Nothing ,even though i was surprised that I didnt get around 750 FPS also this rifle does not get a great increase with lighter pellets like the springers do. This is my expierence and has nothing to do with the gun in general as all are different

The power on these guns as all guns in my opinion, is about 70% of advertised FPS remember it says up to. This gun after break in is averaging 680 FPS which is great considering it was advertised at about 540 FPS when th NP was first sold in the Remington model. You lose accuracy when a pellet reaches a supersonic speed due to the low weight.I think the different speeds are more related to the amount of lube per gun.After a good spring lube ive had guns crack and fire over 1300 FPS only to fall back down to the norm at 850 after a break-in

With a $90.00 to a $100.00 scope and a $109.00 Nitro piston not counting the shipping for installation on the Nitro piston your getting the Rifle for free.Yup the scope and piston cost as much as the whole Item.Do the math.Very quiet only thing that gets my attention is the strike of the pellet on the target ,Yup I shot 30 after a good cleaning.

This gun weighs in at 9.2 lbs with scope on my digital scales. Not a problem for me at 6" 2", 190 lbs but some may want to take that into consideration.Especially if your gonna hump it through the woods.It does come with a nice padded Benjamin sling.

This rifle shoots consistantly at 750+ FPS on my chrony with crosman premier and 800+FPS with RWS hobby pellets.Rifles will vary as all do but that is fine with me as I dont expect MFG specs to be perfect and thats plenty of power for a .22 .Groups were at .4 inches with the premier and .18 with the RWS hobby

I put about a 100 rounds through the Benjamin Trail Np as soon as it arrived. The scope, stock and workmanship is fantastic for a rifle in this price range. The report is rather quiet for a rifle that delivers such a powerful impact. My initial crono readings had a monsterous spread but are starting to even out. With Crosman Premier 14.3 gr domed pellets, my last five shot string, averaged 718 fps. That's a substantial number for a rifle that isn't even worn in yet. The accuracy is also very impressive. I believe that the Nitro Piston helps to improve the accuracy as there are no springs involved. Many rifles that are spring powered, create a mild twist or cant that isn't really noticeable to the shooter. It's caused by the spiral shape of the spring as the piston travels down the air chamber. I have read other reviews complaining about the Trail's weight. This weight is neccessary to help control the recoil, in my opinion.

The trigger is certainly the weak link. I recently went to CharlieDa Tuna's web site and purchased a GRT III trigger. The swap was very easy and inexpensive. Now, the pull is much lighter and the anticipation of the discharge isn't a mystery.

This is a great rifle and I'm thinking about buying another as a gift. If you are looking for a springer, with a budget of less than $500, buy it and buy an after market trigger. You'll spend less than $300, with pellets, rifle and trigger.

Scope, stock, Nitro piston, Pretty much everything.

I swapped out the trigger with the grtIII, took all of 5 minutes.

Originally purchased a whisper .22 that came damaged and traded for this gun. So far this gun seems to be much nicer than the whisper. AND for those looking for the "Quiet" gun, you will be much more satisfied with this one at least in my opinion. No spring = no spring twang. Love it so far. Just need to put a few hundred more pellets through it before I can comment on my shooting skill with it but so far so good.