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lou19604 · New Member

Just joined in cause im gonna start teaching my 12 yr old son about guns and figured this would be excellent to start him on.

So far i have a gamo1000 shadow bsa 4x32 scope.

I,m actually looking into getting a few more cause this is really really fun.

Id like to find out if there are any clubs in the reading pa area if not would anyone be intrested in starting one ?

i would like some input on a rifle Im looking for something that I can use to teach my son the basics . ie bullet trajectory , scope set up. windage , elevation .

I would like a nice solid consistent set up. an old school type, no red dot lasers, no fancy stock ,no 50 shot in 2 second deal a simple basic reliable rifle

I was looking at the Crosman 1760SE.

However being new to the game i better get input first.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Somehow I think this post got overlooked- perhaps it would do better in the General Questions area.

Don't know about others in the Reading, PA area- perhaps someone will chime in.

If you shoot outdoors in the rust belt, avoid Co2 guns in the winter- Co2 pressure is directly affected by temperature and when it's 20* outside most Co2 guns will seem a bit under-powered because of this.

Welcome to AirGunHome.com!

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

For a few bucks you can pick up some nice simple rifles to teach your son with. My favorite gun is actually a hundred dollar wal mart special. It's a break barrel and it came with a relatively nice scope. It is heavy for it's size though because springers and break-barrel rifles take mor metal to do the job. There are actually three types of air rifles and each has it's own strengths and weaknesses.

Springers are relatively heavy and you have to cock it for each shot. It vibrates somewhat when it's shot so the double recoil can make it hard to be accurate with. THey run from 75 up to 500 bucks.THe strenth to a springer is if you get good with a springer you get good at just about any rifle. THey are vcery accurate if you can get used to the bounce.

CO2 guns are nice too if you have a warm place to shoot all year long. THey are usually a lot lighter than a springer and one cartidge can gfet you up to 40 shot depending on which rifle you choose. THe weakness is if it gets below 60 degrees outside or whereever you shoot, you hav e no power at all. You also have the expense of CO2 cartridges along with your pellets. I can get a box of 40 at my local meijers store for 16 bucks.

PCP guns are pretty much the most accurate and temperature resistant of all 3 types. THe are everey thing an airgun wants to be. THey are extremely accurate, the are totally temperature resistant, and they can be a lot more powerful than either a springer or a CO2. Bad side is you are talking either serious labor or buying a lot of expensive stuff, like a 3000 PSI divers tank or a hand pump that can do the job. This is by far the most labor intensive of the 3. It is a b!tch to deal with and that is why I sold mine.

I don't live in PA, but I know there are plenty of clubs in my area. Just do some searching on the internet to find one close to you.

lou19604 · New Member

Im thinking the crosman 1760 se would be a good starter. For the most part were gonna stay around 25 yards max. I know this aint the best weather for a co2 but at that close range i should be able to maint a consistent flat trajectory even with a small wind.

Im also really liking the H&K USP

domer_pyle · Senior Member

get him a benjamin 392/397, they are moderately priced and will probably last a lifetime. not to mention super accurate. been shooting a friends 392 lately and have to say i'd really like to buy one, but seeing as i'm left eye dominant and really suck shooting left handed i need a scope which is a hassle to install on them, but the iron sights are plenty sufficient for a beginner

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

the 1760 will still do bad, because of the cold you will reduce your amount of shots by alot, but it is a very nice solid gun, it just wont do you any good until april, if you want co2 badly u could opt for a 2240 by crosman it is a single shot bolt action pistol, but that would be more for you not your son. have you look at daisy powerline 953, i have heard good reviews about that gun and it is relatively inexpensive and accurate.

lou19604 · New Member

Well short of putting him behind a real rifle (His mom would go balliatic)
I want him to learn about ballistics. It would be an exciting and fun way for him to get good not only at shooting but math. My main thing is to have a constant velocity out the barrel. so he can concentrate on the other parts. I,m thinking a break barrel would be the best choice for that.
Ibeen doing a lot of research on pellet guns and yes the co2 is not meant for cold. I wanted co2 cause that way shot after shot he can keep an eye on the target. In the long run it may be of benefit to him not to have a co2 to start with. So in knowig that my budget for a rifle is 300.00 pistol is 150.00 . I.M considering the following pistols 2240 CROSMAN H&K USP BERRETA PX4 STORM AND JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS GOOD THE DESERT EAGLE.

Slavia · Moderator

A Crosman 2240 is well within your budget, is easy to manage, and is fairly accurate. But then again it does have the temperature/CO2 problem. If you and your son ever got into modifications, there is a ton of stuff you can get for it.

BBgunNoob's suggestion of the 953 is a good one. It is a single stroke pneumatic, which means no spring to vibrate. One stroke to cock/pump. Well within your price range. It's only about 500 FPS, but for your purposes that's O.K. The 953's cousin is the 853 - same action, but a different barrel (and much, much more expensive). The 853 is the mainstay of organized youth shooting (4H, Scouts, JrROTC, etc.) across North America.

Another pistol choice would be the Beeman P17. It's inexpensive, accurate, and has a very nice trigger. Like the 953 rifle it is a single-stroke pneumatic, about 400 FPS.

lou19604 · New Member

Yeah I belive the 853 is what im looking for, 279.00 isnt too high. The 2240 is on the list just so I can modify it.

KEEP THE INPUT COMING I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

essentially the 953 and 853 are the same gun but a 200 dollar difference, because of the barrel, if this is your sons first time shooting in general, the accuracy difference between the two riffles probably wont be noticeable by your son nor you. the 953 will train him to shoot perfectly where as the 853 is a 10 meter competition gun. if you hold on a few more weeks i know slavia is wanting to make a comparison of the 852 to the 953 with another forum member, so you can actually see the margin of difference between the both.

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

the topic is im in love and it is under the picture section of the forum

lou19604 · New Member

Thats definetly worth the wait. Isnt there a section just for reviews? I check you tube alot but there has got to be more pellet guns here then there. I dont mean a simple yeah it grouped nicely. Im talking where it was bought how long on shipping how was customer service. wind conditions, pellet type, scope type, the whole nine yards.

BBgunNoob · Veteran Member

no section just for reviews but almost everything about everything concerning airguns can be found here; as for buying wise basically all online vendors are okay, just gotta shop around pyramid air is probably the largest online distributor of air guns they have a good deal on pellets 2, there ranked 1- by BBB, only place i have heard negative about is from compaseco ; picture section/ target practice section you can see somewhat how good riffles group, eric eustler has a somewhat good site for air gun video reviews (airgunweb.com); scope depends on what you want leapers or a bsa scope or both good choices imo , just with that make sure you get a springer rated scope if you buy a springer, pump/ air u dont need one; pellets there are alot but depends on what your gun likes the most id stick to rws, beeman,if they arent discontinued, h&n, jsb and the more expensive crosman stuff dont go after the cheap ammo if your looking for accuracy; wind conditions i wouldnt worry to much about you target practicing with your son as it will probably be 10m, so unless theres a tornado in front of you you should be fine , wind is only a real problem when you go for farther shots.

alyxjame · New Member

Welcome to the community! It's great that you're taking the time to teach your son about guns in a responsible and educational way. Here are some suggestions and thoughts to get you started:

Clubs in Reading, PA: You might want to check out local shooting ranges or sportsman's clubs in the Reading area. Many clubs have beginner-friendly programs or members who are happy to share advice. A quick search for "shooting clubs near Reading, PA" should give you some leads. If nothing exists nearby, starting your own group could be a fantastic idea, especially to build a supportive community around safe and responsible shooting.

Rifle Selection: The Crosman 1760SE is a solid choice, especially for learning fundamentals like trajectory and windage. If you're open to alternatives, consider a bolt-action .22 rifle like the Ruger American Rimfire or the Savage Mark II. These are reliable, accurate, and perfect for teaching the basics without being overwhelming.

Scope Setup and Basics: A 4x32 scope like the one on your Gamo is a good start for practicing scope adjustments and learning to zero in on targets. If you want something a bit more versatile for teaching elevation and windage, consider adjustable objective scopes for greater clarity at varying distances.

Teaching Basics:

Focus on safety first. Emphasize handling, trigger discipline, and situational awareness.
Start with shorter distances (e.g., 25 yards) and gradually increase as your son gains confidence.
Incorporate fun drills and targets to keep him engaged while learning.
Getting More Gear: If you're looking to add to your collection, try visiting gun shops or attending local firearm shows. The staff and fellow attendees often have great insights.

Additional Resources: YouTube and online forums like this one can provide excellent tutorials on setting up rifles, understanding ballistics, and mastering techniques.

Best of luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out with more questions as you both progress on this journey!