Barra Sportsman 900

Things I liked: This is light but solid, quite accurate with open sights and pellets (with a rifled barrel, I do not shoot BBs). I have beaucoup air rifles and this is one of the most enjoyable for looks, simplicity, and accuracy. I've had mine for about 18 months now and it's been a lot of cheap shooting fun, it's the one that I usually grab when I just want to briefly perforate a few tin cans or paper targets in the back yard.

Things I would have changed: For this price point, it's fine just the way it is. No complaints.

What others should know: Since loading single pellets by hand can be challenging, especially for anyone with large hands and fingers, as this is similar to loading a pellet on an 880, I would recommend using a large tweezers to grab the pellet and place it in the receiver. (Harbor Freight has a set of 6 different size tweezers and I endorse this as a useful way to avoid frustration in selecting and loading pellets. I've found this greatly helps to load and shoot quite rapidly.) Also, this rifle - well, at least mine - can be picky about pellets. It seems to like either flat nosed or domed Crosman pellets best and Piranhas least. But, again, for the inexpensive price point, I have no complaints and for someone my age, 70, it makes me feel like a kid again to just hear the sound of a pellet hitting a tin can. It's fun and that's probably the best thing about this rifle.

Things I liked: Very inexpensive - exceeds the "you get what you pay for" expectations. Despite it's very plastic exterior the pump seems pretty well constructed. In an indoor range at 15-25 yards I get very tight groupings using basic competition Crossman lead wadcutters on a rest. Indicates to meet that the gun is inherently pretty true at this distance. The scope is pretty crappy - free moving elevation and windage makes it hard to get really dialed in but it is serviceable at shorter distances. What do you expect when it's a toss in at this price? Open/optic sights are ok. Sliding rear for elevation and right/left screw mounted windage - but screw does not seem to want so set. Trigger is better than I'd expect at this price point - little stiff. Pumping is easy to 8 pumps - I've found 6 to be more than sufficient sufficient at 50 feet.

Things I would have changed: It's really hard to pick this thing apart given the price point - especially if you find it in the $55 - $60 range. It's accurate - the basic guts seem to be pretty good. I'll let you know after I put a couple thousand rounds through it. Feels like some of the plastic exterior could get loose but, hopefully, it won't...so far so good. Not really sure I like the BB feed - it leaves a gap in the breach that a pellet could slip into and/or get jammed in.

What others should know: For the money - and for a learning experience for a young gunner - this thing is so much better than a bottom of the line Daisy and has more hitting power with better accuracy in the lower end Crossmans. It has a pretty cool look to it as well. Way fun to shoot for the money. I have not tested this beyond 25 yards.