Air Gun Home :: View topic - Hi. I'm new. name is Del, (jeager) & have questions.

jeager106 · Member

I have been browsing here for a couple of weeks, enough to lknow there is a huge amount of real, knowledgeable information here for the asking.
You members all seem to be willing to help and no one gets "slammed" for asking dummy questions that I have seen so far.
I currently own an RWS 48, .22 with BSA 4 X12 a.g. glass. It's 11 years old, accuracy seems to have fallen off using it's favorite food, the Crossman Premier. Umarex U.S.A. does warranty and other work on RWS. I called them and they suggest sending it in for a new spring, grease job, new seals etc. for $114.90.
I do not want to attempt this job at home as I want to keep both eyes and all fingers and I'm a bit of a klutz. Is my old M-48 worth dropping another $115 bucks or so into?

Next: The "new" gas piston air guns. I didn't even know they existed.
I've delt with PyamydAir for a long time with no complaints. If you know of a better outlet I'd appreciate knowing of it.
Are the air piston guns really "better" than springers? It seems logical they would be smoother cocking and shooting, perhaps easier on glass?
Power seems on par with comparable springers. The Remington NT is $299 which seems quit reasonable including the scope package. I'm leary of packages because I've leaned scopes are not top notch however I've read every review on this gas piston package and there were no complaints about gun or scope. Reviews my have been written by first time shooters too. Every review gave the Remington package 5 stars in accuracy which is vital to me.

To condense this:
Is the gas piston Remington a satisfactory airgun with enough power for small game like squirrels and pests?
Or: Should I have the M-48 rebuilt, see how is shoots after the rebuild and if accuracy and power is restored just use the M-48 until I can affor a good PCP gun.
Right now I can't justify the cost of the PCP, Scope, Scuba tank, and I'm not into puming air for an hour to get 30 shots from a pcp.
Besides. I can find no one in the area that fills pcp guns OR Scuba tanks.
Too bad because I think PCP might be the best deal f all if one can lay out the bucks.
Thank you, all suggestions or comments are welcome.

donec · Senior Member

Welcome jeager106 to AGH. Sorry but I am not one of those here with the knowledge to help you with your questions, but I am sure some one will pop in soon.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Welcome to AGH.

I would personally redo the 48 myself, because it's really not that hard. Otherwise, for the price- have them do it. Another reason I would do it myself, I could use Jim Maccari springs, lubes, and seals. These are generally higher quality products (aftermarket). However you have to install them yourself and would cost the same as factory+install.

Never used, seen, or fondled a gas springer. They sound good, not sure about the "Remington" name on an airgun, their other AG products have low quality. The advantage of a gas spring is a shorter, more abrupt shot cycle, and the ability to leave it cocked infinitely. Leaving a springer cocked has never been a problem for myself.

Check out the Crosman line of new gas springers, they are labeled Benjamin. By the way, Crosman owns Benjamin and Sheridan. They use the two names on many guns, all of which are in fact Crosmans. Crosman also uses Remington, although IIRC those are Chinese made. Not saying you couldn't get a winner out of them.

http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/show.pl?cmd_items=1&Manufacturer=Benjamin&Type=1

They are the "Trail" series. Newer on the market, but are made in America (or are supposed to be). I would personally buy one, if I was in the market for something like that.

PCPs are worth the money. They can cost as much (if not more) than an equal quality rimfire, and will usually outshoot said rimfire. A (semi) custom setup can be used to fill PCPs from inert shielding gases (welding supply shop). Such as Helium, Argon, and Nitrogen.

jeager106 · Member

Thanks fritz.
I don't understand "semi custom" inert gas, welding shop" thing?????
I PCP may be for me down the road but for now money is way too tight.
Remington's line is billed as U.S.A. made.
Are you saying "trial" means made in U.S.A. until production gets going and then they are chinese made???
I am most definately going to send the old M-48 in for a rebuild. She's been a good rifle for a long time and has accounted for a number of racoons, squirels and such and a ton of charcoal briquets and paper targets.
I have a Benjamin pump in .177 and it's supr acurate but pumping 7 to 9 times each shot gets mighty tiresome.
I like the idea of being able to leave the pas piston cocked for periods of time and it is supposed to work well in cold air.
I didn't particularly like the Crossman reviews, many complaints and the rifle being very heavy and the trigger being even heavier.
But I'm still very open to suggestions from anyone who cares to jump in.
Many thanks.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

In specific regards to the gas-ram piston guns, look here:

http://www.airgunhome.com/agforum/viewtopic.php?t=5137

They are different than a regular springer, but not radically.

FYI: the only Crosman/Benjamin/Sheridan products that are made in China are the airsoft stuff and the "traditional" springers- the NPSS's are made in their New York factory.

As you mentioned, fixing your Model 48 is probably worthwhile. As it's a springer, and you have a pumper too, maybe try out something Co2 or PCP-based. As PCP is a bit out of the budget, perhaps think of something like the AirMagnum 850 (Co2).

jeager106 · Member

Thanks! It just so happens I bought the 850 when it first hit the market and have not been disappointed. I've had it well over 5 years now.
At first it was billed as giving 400 shots per 88 gram bottle.
Definately NOT true. But it does give around 250 shots per 88 gram bottle.
It's incredibly accurate, one ragged hole at 20 yards, under an inch at 40 yards and just enough zip on the .22 pellet to kill squirrels with head shots.
It is NOT as fast as most good springers but I like the 8 shot rotary magazine and have 7 extra mags. I just wish I could squeeze another 100 f.p.s. out of it as it would hit harder downrange.
As it is it will put a Premier pellet completely through a full tin can of peas.
Why peas? Because I stock 3 months food and foolishly let some go bad before I noticed the expiration date.
I'm thinking with head shots it might kill pests up to the size of opossums.
Your thoughts on that appreciated. The co2 is very quiet and I buy a 2 pack at wall mart often so I have about 12 of the 88 gram size on hand.
Wally also stocks the Crossman Premier by the 500 round tin.
It's a h.p. design which I find kind of silly as it's not pushing the pellet fast enough to expand it anyway.
Does anyone know of any tricks to squeeze another 100 f.p.s. or so out of the 850?

A QUESTION ABOUT CLEANING THE BORES?

Is it detremental to CAREFULLY clean the bore of an airgun if one uses a very mild solvent on a .17 caliber rod, with proper fitting cloth patch?
I don't think anyone uses a brass brush on the innerds of an airgun bore do they?
Maybe reliable Hoppes#9 and a few strokes with a cloth patch?
Comments welcome.
ALL INFO WELCOME...anything that comes to mind can only help me so feel free to add your experiences and share with me please.
Thank you all very much.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Just use oil to clean airgun barrels- there is no burnt powder residue to stick to things, so risking bore cleaners designed for powderburners gets you nothing. Stick with cotton patches and oil, or an aluminum-bristled brush (very soft). Airgun rifling is not typically as deep as regular powderburners- so you don't want to be scrubbing it too much.

Davy Jones · Member

Just got my 850 a month ago...its a friggin' blast. The springer's & pumpers are put away for good, never to be used again. Maybe I'll break one out now & then until I get my 850 back from being converted to 9oz HPA from Roald, full tune & upgraded spring for the summer heat.

Before 750fps
After1000fps

Check this out - http://the850store.com/

jeager106 · Member