Working... and Shooting? (not directly related)

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
12/13/2014 at 10:59 • Filed to: None

Here I am again, working on a Saturday... this time of year is hell... At least i'll probably only be here 10 hours today, instead of the 12+ I've done for the last five days, and I might get away with only 8 hours this Sunday... order volume is up 300% over last year and even with the equipment and process improvements we (ok, mostly I... although I can't say I signed the check for the 3/4-mil of new equipment we bought...) have made we're still struggling to stay four-days behind. :/

in lighter news, I did get my holiday bonus, and it was... substantial. along with paying down some older debt I am looking at investing about $800 in an air gun and accessories. I've always wanted a nice PCP (pre-charged-pneumatic) gun and I really think the eu-jin/sam-yang Sumatra 2500 in .22 looks like the perfect cross-section of accuracy, capacity, power and repeater in a very reasonably priced package. I'd love a Daystate gun, but I want to make a big dent in that debt... so no Wolverine .303 for me this time.

I like the Benjamin Marauder on principle, but although the .22 is "good" everyone seems to agree that the .25 is "better" and pellet availability for .25 is no where near as good as .22, and the Sumatra seems to have equally glowing reviews in both .22 and .25...

I've also considered both the AirArms S500 FAC Xtra, and the Air Force Condor in .22, but as single shot guns they don't get my juices flowing like the repeaters and I can't find any credible evidence that either is significantly more accurate than the Korean gun, though the S500 FAC Xtra *IS* Beautiful.... (yes I know there is a repeater version of the AirArms gun, but $200 more for the S510 rubs me the wrong way...)

Any higher-end airgunners out there in oppo-land with oppo-inions or input?

DISCUSSION (27)

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 11:14

Yeah I own a few airguns myself and personally I'd go with the Air Arms. You really just can't beat the quality of them. The bluing is some of the best I've seen on any rifle; the overall fit and finish is superb! I own a TX200 and it's hands down my favorite!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 11:44

fancy springers... I never could love the fancy springers, but then again maybe I've just had too many scopes destroyed by Gamo guns... My brother has an HW80, and it's a nice gun, but I've always wanted a PCP gun, and in that price range it seems like it's worth the effort and muscle-tone to get a PCP and a pump ;)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 12:02

long story short: I kind of have a weird desire to own a Korean air gun, and the Sumatra 2500 makes a convincing case for being a worthy contender in the entry-high-end.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 12:03

Why an airgun? Im just curios? You can buy a normal .22 rifle for very cheap. And ammo really isnt as hard to find as everyone says

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 12:21

I don't have any experience with the gun but from what I've been told it's extremely loud and the shot count isn't that great. But it is a hammer!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/13/2014 at 12:23

ammo price is one reason. Even .22 starts to ad up to $$$ if you shoot a lot. Airguns are also much quieter. Even a very loud and powerful airgun is hearing-protection-optional. If you live in a suburban area this makes a big difference, it can make a difference when getting a second shot on small game too. Also: because novelty ;)

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 12:24

Yeah I do have a Gamo and it's harsh and unruly. That said, it does make a nice carbine and is really light so it serves its purpose I guess. The TX200 is smooth as butter and even before I put a Vortek kit in it its shot cycle was great. Solid thunk and nothing more! I bought mine a couple years ago and I've heard the newer ones come a bit dry from the factory.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 12:29

I live out in the country so im not so worried about noise. I was lucky and bought about 2500 rounds of .22 ammo before it shot up. Still shooting off it today.

Now days im usually out shooting with my carry weapon in the backyard at cans. 9mm Springfield Armory XDs

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 12:36

yeah, I mean, I have a highly-tuned Crossman 2240 (no one believes it started life as a $45 gun, and it shoots sooooo damn well!), which is considered a "loud" gun and it's still a far cry from .22 LR... noise isn't so much my concern as the fact that the Sumatra seems to have a well deserved reputation for power and accuracy... As you say: being a hammer.

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 13:01

If you do get the Sumatra, I'd also invest in a tank setup. Hand pumping large reservoirs is not fun.

MysticStick > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 13:13

The PCP guns are badass and I love the look of the Wolverine .303 (never heard of it before so I had to check it out). You mentioned that one reason you were wanting an airgun was noise so a question: why not a suppressed airgun? I have no experience with high-end airguns which makes me curious about whether they are as cool as they look.

Kinja'd!!!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 13:30

I've got a buddy who's a diver, I can get an old steel SCUBA tank from him as he gradually replaces them all with CF... He says he'll sell me a tank for $50, then I'll just need the regulator and fittings. I plan to buy a hand pump too.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > MysticStick
12/13/2014 at 13:34

long story short: Even though the BATF has no control over air guns, a suppressor, as a device that COULD be used on a firearm is still a controlled item and requires serial number registration and a federal permit (at least in the USA), and my state government has outlawed suppressors on the state government level, so even if I had a federal permit, I could not use a legally-owned suppressor in Vermont.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > MysticStick
12/13/2014 at 13:56

Some large calibre air-gun head to head featuring the Wolverine .303 (may be NSFW for dead/dying animals...)

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 14:04

Lucky you have a nice hookup! The Sumatra doesn't have much in the way of aftermarket as your other choices, but the raw power and accuracy are great! The AirForce is probably the most tunable though with ability to swap tanks and valves easily. It can go from a big bore monster to backyard plinker really easily.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 14:19

yeah, my bother is lobbying for the AirForce for those exact reasons. I understand that point of view, and I have heard that they are great shooting guns (with the possible exception of the "lame, but pretty OK" trigger...) but the damn things look goofy. /first world problems

NonDriftingS13 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 14:40

They've always looked very futuristic to me but it's definitely subjective! Another option to look at are the Evanix guns. They're are pretty nice but some of them are also goofy looking but the Rainstorm has had many good reviews on the Yellow.

Funktheduck > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/13/2014 at 15:01

I don't know where you live but when you can find .22 ammo where I am it's 3-4x more than what it should cost.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Funktheduck
12/13/2014 at 15:03

Its not too bad by me. Just have to know when to go get it. But i have enough of it to last me a while

Funktheduck > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 15:17

I don't know much about air rifles but when I buy or look into buying guns ammo is a big factor. No sense in buying a gun you can't shoot bc you can't find ammo.

Another thing to consider is why would you choose .22 or .25. If you're just target shooting why spend the extra on .25? If your aim is hunting, which is better for your prey?

Funktheduck > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/13/2014 at 15:32

It's bad to the point employees aren't allowed to know when they're getting shipments to keep them from tipping people off to keep mini ammo mobs down. It's a self fulfilling problem. People panic that they can never find any so they buy all the rounds they can not leaving any for others who then do the same when they find any

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > NonDriftingS13
12/13/2014 at 16:31

yeah, the Evanix guns have been on my radar for some time, I actually kinda like the Rainstorm 3D Bullpup, but it's a little pricey... like the AirArms S500...

Kinja'd!!!

I am trying to keep it under $1000 with a pump. at least I already have a nice scope I can transfer.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Funktheduck
12/13/2014 at 16:41

I expect groundhogs, rats, squirrels, rabbits and the occasional pigeon will be my primary quarry. A powerful .22 is certainly adequate for that job. Sheep-defence will likely be happening in the dark and will involve the 12 ga. That exact argument about ammo is the reason I'm leaning away from the Marauder. I'm going for the most accuracy for the $, which is probably the Marauder .25... EXCEPT .25 cal pellets are more expensive and you can pretty much only get them mail order unless your local firearms dealer happens to be a HUGE air-gun dweeb. (mine is not). The Sumatra 2500 is a little bit more $$$ than the Marauder, but it competes on accuracy with $1000 guns, even in the .22 cal version. It's also a little harder hitting for cleaner kills with larger prey or a poorly placed shot. I also WILL be doing a lot of target shooting, and although pellets are cheap compared to firearms ammo, the .22 pellets are just that much cheaper...

MysticStick > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 17:55

Understood, was thinking it was different for airguns. Good video, big-bore airguns are getting so advanced! Slinging some heavy pellets too. Hope you end up happy with the one you pick, all the ones above seem pretty cool although it is easy to see the allure of the pricier Daystate.

Funktheduck > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/13/2014 at 18:33

I would definitely go with the .22. It's better to spend a little more, get what you really want, and be able to use it. Unless you plan on dealing with molten lead to make your own pellets.

Manual Transition > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/14/2014 at 09:57

Visit YouTube. There are a number of individuals pumping out reviews. Some of them, will make you giggle, while others, may make you cringe.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Manual Transition
12/14/2014 at 19:24

I'm just sorry Ted's Holdover has never reviewed the Sumatra....