Airgun Depot's Airsenal News

Airgun Depot works hard at staying on the edge of what is new in the airgun world. And true to form, Airgun Depot is putting together great packages for the American shooter, featuring the newest American-made break-barrel gun on the market, the Crosman NPSS.

NPSS stands for Nitro Piston Short Stroke. Instead of a coiled spring, the powerplant of this new offering from Crosman is a nitrogen-filled gas piston. There are some advantages to this platform, so let's take a look at it, even though we don't have it in hand.

Gas-piston rifles aren't new to the market. Theoben has been offering several gas-piston guns for some time now. I've owned a few of them, and currently have one in my stable of airguns at the time of this writing. Having shot gas-piston rifles against factory-condition spring-piston rifles, I always enjoy shooting the gas-piston gun more. The recoil is different, and as a hunter, I really enjoy the ability to cock my gun and leave it cocked for extended periods of time without fear of inducing any spring fatigue to my gun's powerplant.

Gas-piston guns feature a shorter, more linear recoil in my opinion. There is no double-bounce that one experiences in a spring-piston gun, and straight from the factory, there is no comparison in the two types of guns. Sure, if you have the spring-piston gun tuned to the max, you'll have very similar firing behaviors. But the vast majority of spring-piston guns do not come from the factory in this condition, costing the owner additional funds to get the smoothness and performance that a gas-piston offers from the outset.

Looking at the new Crosman NPSS above, one can see some of the features mentioned in the product description.  There is the cut-away view of the gas-piston as the powerplant, a bull barrel, the carbon fiber stock, and an all-metal trigger group. The action is held in place with three screws, two in the forearm and one in the trigger guard area. Here is the product description for you to more closely view: (note...the NPSS will be available in both .177 and .22 caliber).

Features:
Carbon Fiber body
Nitrogen gas system
%25 quieter than other Crosman spring rifles
Centerpoint 3-9X40 Scope and one piece mount included ($85 Value)

Specifications:
Caliber: .177
Ammo Type: Pellets
Body Components: Carbon Fiber
Power Supply: Nitro Piston (Nitrogen Gas)
Overall Length: 43.875
Barrel Length:
Fire Mode: Single-Shot
Gun Weight: 6lbs 15oz
Muzzle Velocity: 1000 with Lead 1200 with Alloy
Front Sight: N/A
Rear Sight: N/A
Scope: Centerpoint 3-9x40 AO with one piece mount

Package includes:
Crosman NPSS .177 in Carbon Fiber with Nitrogen Piston, Centerpoint 3-9x40 AO and one piece mount.

A lucky few have been able to try out the new NPSS, and I read through a first-hand review of a camo-dipped NPSS. The new owner was very happy with it, and gave a very nice review of their initial impressions of the gun. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one so I can update this blog entry with an additional one after I've had the chance to play with the actual gun myself. The one I want looks like this:

Please note that these guns as they come from Airgun Depot will also feature a Centerpoint 3-9x40 scope and a one-piece mount. This is added value to a new airgun that has already garnered plenty of interest from airgunners everywhere. The current price on these guns is $324.90. I'm looking forward to getting mine....aren't you?

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am fortunate to own several airguns, and have enjoyed each one that I have decided to buy. I buy them for different reasons and purposes. Recently, I read an article on varmint hunting written by a good friend, and it made me think about the airguns I have and how they are used by me for different purposes.

At the time of this article, I have a couple of guns that I plan on keeping. Here is a list of them and why I have them. Hopefully, you will find a useful nugget of information or thought as to why you chose the airguns you did, other than "that was what was available."

Benjamin Marauder

I own serial #77 of the new Benjamin Marauder. I opted for the .22 version of this gun so that I have a wider possibility of prey that I can hunt with it. I bought if specifically for hunting, and the power level of this gun allows me to take every small game animal from rabbits and squirrels up to possum, raccoon, and groundhog-sized animals.  The adjustability of the gun helps me "tune" it for the level of power I want.....for instance, if I go on a rat hunt in an enclosed barn at night, I can turn the power down, get lots more shots, and not have to worry about filling up with air as often. But for squirrel hunting, I turn up the power a little, since I don't need as many shots available to take the limit of 6 squirrels.

Beeman R10

I like having a good, quality spring-piston gun available at all times. This one is a .177 caliber gun that I bought used on the classified adds on the internet off one of the forums. The quality and craftsmanship that went into this gun makes it a joy to shoot. It is my plinker and fun gun, doing double duty for pest control and small game hunting when I'm in the mood to use something besides a PCP. For a quiet walk through the woods, shooting at targets of opportunity like sparrows, starlings, twigs and dirt clods, and small game, there's nothing like a self-contained air gun and a pocket full of pellets. And in the event I ever get to try Field Trial competition, I feel confident this airgun would be a good candidate for the Hunter Class.

Crosman 101

Everybody needs a good pump-up gun.....and my 70-year old Crosman 101 has been refurbished and meets all the demands I have of a pump gun. Accurate with its peep sight, classic in appearance and function, it makes a great hunter/plinker/backup gun for nearly every occasion. And the history behind the gun just adds to the enjoyment for me as a shooter. My particular model was only made for one year, 1939, and is hard to find. 

QB-78

A good CO2 gun is a wonderful tool for teaching youngsters how to shoot. The power level is lower than a PCP, and the classic bolt-action method of loading and shooting that this gun features lends itself to teachable moments of gun safety and general shooting skills. A very accurate gun, this little gem has quite a following among airgun enthusiasts, and comes in several variations such as a sporter-style stock, a target stock, a thumbhole version, and various levels of trigger and barrel configuration. There are several "tuners" on the web who take this gun to some serious levels of power and reliability, and you'll find quite a few custom versions of this gun floating around out there!

Crosman 760

If you have kids, you need one of these guns. It has been made by the millions, and has brought generations of shooters into the fold. A simple, easy-to-use pump-up gun that so many kids have received as their first gun, it bring asmile to the face of a youngster who knocks over that aluminum can for the first time. Shooting BB's or pellets, it is a must have for the serious airgun owner, even if it is one of the most economical airguns to buy these days.

Diana 34

Perhaps the best selling model that RWS currently has in their selection, this classic spring-piston gun meets so many needs of the shooter that nearly everyone who shoots airguns recognizes the contributions of this gem. It features a power level that is just right for pest control, small game hunting, and plinking. It comes in the two most popular calibers, .177 and .22, and has been used for decades by airgun shooters around the world. My local police department even has one they use for pigeon control!

Now I have other guns, such as a custom .50 caliber muzzleloader that I use for big game hunting, but not everyone uses airguns to the extent I do. But for the average airgun owner/shooter, the above list is what I currently own and use often in my enjoyment of this sport of ours. If you are new to the airgun scene, take a minute or two and consider just why you are buying your airgun, and enjoy making your purchase here at Airgun Depot. They have a great selection, good service, and will strive to meet your airgun needs.

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 07:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Not only is the Benjamin Marauder a great concept, it is also a great reality! I have the fortune of owning the 77th gun made, one of the first 100, and it is a sure winner.

I opted for a .22 caliber in my Marauder, since I think it affords me a wider range of game to take. The .22 will take all the small game a .177 will, and allow you to move up to larger game with the greater energy the .22 delivers on target. And this gun certainly delivers pellets "on target". It is very accurate with Crosman Premiers and Beeman Kodiaks, but as the Premiers are cheaper, I opted to use them for most purposes. Both pellets deliver similar accuracy.

The Marauder is unique to PCP rifles in that the factory makes it very easy for the owner to "tune" the gun to their liking. With 3 separate adjustment parameters, the owner can lower or raise the flow of air into the barrel, adjust the length of the hammer strike, and the power with which the hammer strikes the valve stem. All this adjustability makes this gun a dream to own.....set your parameters, make notes of how many turns each adjustment gets, and you have a gun that one minute can be used for soft paper punching, and the next (after an adjustment or two), is ready to take live game with power and authority.

The Benjamin Marauder has the following specifications to it:

Features:
10-shot repeater with auto-indexing feature
Uses compressed air (only 2,000 psi) OR bulk-fill CO2
Internal shroud makes this a VERY quiet gun
Choked barrel delivers superior accuracy
2-stage adjustable match trigger...and the trigger is metal!
Raised aluminum breech for easier loading of 10-shot clip
Accepts 2-piece scope mount (does not come with sights)
Hardwood Monte Carlo stock with dual raised cheek pieces and checkered grip & forearm
Built-in pressure gauge
Quick-disconnect Foster fittings for fast refills

Specifications:
Max Velocity: 1000 fps
Loudness: 2-Low-Medium
Weight: 7.50 lbs
Overall Length: 43.00"
Capacity: 10 round(s)
Barrel: Rifled
Front Sight: None
Rear Sight: None
Scopeable: 11mm dovetail
Trigger adj.: Two-stage adjustable
Buttpad: Ventilated rubber
Suggested for: Small game hunting/plinking
Action: Bolt-action
Powerplant: PCP and CO2
Safety: Manual
Repeater: Yes/Multi-shot

There is a wealth of features on this gun that very few other air rifles, if any, can approach. There is quite a cottage industry on the internet of folks who take new guns from manufacturers and improve them with little add-ons, custom adjustments, etc. This air rifle comes with so many bells and whistles already there that the vast majority of folks will not need to do anything except "tune" it to their desired performance parameters.

The Marauder is filled via a quick-detach foster fitting, just as the Benjamin Discovery. You can even use the same pump if you want to. 

There is an easily accessible safety located inside the trigger guard. Right at hand, a common feature on many other guns in terms of its location, so it will be familiar to most shooters.

A handy gauge lets you know the level of pressure you are at when shooting, and allows you to fill to a desired level without guessing. 

The magazine is a 10-shot rotary magazine that has so far worked flawlessly for me. Clear instructions are included in the owner's manual, as well as tips and explanations on how to tune to a desired level of power and air consumption.

Out of the box, the Marauder delivered Crosman Premier Hollow Point Hunting Pellets down range in the mid-800's....which is plenty of power for small game hunting. I tuned mine with a few adjustments so that I gained quite a few more shots, less air consumption, and roughly the same velocity. 

On my first outing in the woods for spring squirrel season here in KY, I managed to take the daily limit (6) with just 7 shots. In fact, the first 3 squirrels fell in rapid succession, 1,2,3 within 30 seconds of each other. The bolt action loading was smooth and quick, and I shot all 3 squirrels out of the same tree. This gun can hunt, and I am really looking forward to using it for some time to come!

For the Field Trial shooter, this gun represents a wonderful addition to the sport. In .177, being as adjustable as it is, I feel certain you will be seeing quite a few of these Marauders at shooting events in the near future!

Now the good part.....this gun costs about 1/2 of what a European gun would be, only $499.00....and it's made in America! Crosman has scored once again, following the debut of their first PCP, the Discovery, with this fine addition to their PCP inventory. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you....the Benjamin Marauder!

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Each year there are airgun shows held across the nation. In the middle portion of the country, you have the Airgun Expo held in Benton, AR (suburb of Little Rock) near the end of April/beginning of May. This year the show will be held May 1-2 at the Saline County Fairgrounds. I usually go about every other year and set up a table, and will be present this year. Afterwards, I hope to take a day or two and go on a brief hunt for wild hogs or feral goats over in Texas.

Airgun shows are a lot of fun. You get to meet some of the more recognizable names in the industry, and the vast number of airguns present make it a lot of fun to just browse around look. Robin Parks organizes and puts on the show each year, and he is always helpful. In past years, an auction has been held to raise money for a worthy cause, and you will find nearly all the dealers and hobbyists generous to a fault.

This year I'll be bringing some of my African trophies and displaying them, along with some airguns suitable for hunting and pest control. Ammunition for big bore airguns will also be a large part of my display. And if I can manage to get it together, I'll be bringing a gatling gun that shoots rubber bands!

You can find more info about the airgun show here:  http://www.airgunexpo.com/

One of the neatest items you'll find at airgun shows are the home-made or modified airguns. A couple of years ago one of the hobbyists brought an absolutely beautiful CO2 powered airgun that looked like a dueling pistol from 300 years ago. He had modified it, attached a period-suitable ball reservoir underneath the barrel, and had it cased and on display. It was really a work of art!

Other hobbyists will be displaying their designs for upgrading popular airguns such as the Crosman 2240. There is likely to be some of Crosman's new offerings like the Marauder present, and someone is likey to have a new gun from Umarex called the Pneuma there as well. You 'll find no lack of opinions on the new guns, that's for sure! And after the show many attendees and merchants get together for a meal at the local restaurants. It's a good time to be had by all.

So if you get the chance, drop by the show and enjoy the hobby of airguns. Be sure to drop by my booth and say "hi", and we'll get a chance to chat about what you'd like to see here on Airgun Depot's blog.

Hope to see you there!

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the topics that abounds on airgun forums is the legality of discharging your airgun in certain areas. There are several issues that need to be considered before going shooting.

First, check your local and state laws on just exactly where your air gun fits in regards to its classification as a weapon. Some states and locales do not consider air guns weapons, while others do. And if you live in small-town America, you may have some leeway depending on your relationship with the local authorities. I enjoy a good relationship with my local chief of police, and have permission to discharge my air guns within city limits.

After you establish the legality of shooting in your area, and find that you can indeed shoot, check with your neighbors if you have any. Good relationships with your neighbors go a long ways towards bringing others into the shooting sports, and being a good neighbor shows responsibility and consideration that is appreciated by those around you. 

On the airgun hunting forum I host, another consideration that has cropped up lately is the shooting of pests. This consideration can be a tricky one, for some state laws are written in such a way that certain game animals, as well as non-game animals, can be considered pests if they are messing up the yard, annoying your domestic pets, or trying to gain access to the house for nesting areas (such as the attic, chimney, or basement/crawl space). In some cases you can shoot them and be done with them, and in others you simply can't according to the law. An example of the kind of animal that falls in this category is the common crow. It has a season in many places, but if you plant a garden and find crows picking out the seeds to your freshly planted plot, you are allowed to shoot them. Again, this varies from area to area, and YOU need to check it out for yourself.

Far too often a new airgunner, in their excitement of enjoying their sport, will inadvertently shoot a bird thinking it is a pest, only to find out that it is a desireable species rather than the ever-present, annoying English sparrow or European starling.  Target identification is very important, and not everything that has wings is a pest, and not everything that has fur is a rodent intent on living in your house. So take a few extra seconds to identify your target before making a mistake that removes a desirable bird or other animal from the ecosystem.

You drive a car, don't you? Surely you took a few minutes to familiarize yourself with local and state laws about how you can drive your car? Speed limits differ from locale to locale, and you can't always turn right on red in some places. So, do the same with your shooting habits. KNOW your rules, abide by them, and represent your sport in the best light possible.

It is the responsibility of all of us in the shooting sports to be ethical. The public is watching, and it is up to us to show our very best to critics and enthusiasts alike.

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 05:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

When you get into airgunning, the incredible amount of different guns can be a bit mind-boggling. There are so many different kinds of airguns, different disciplines in shooting them, and quite an assortment of uses for them. However, there are really only two choices when it comes to deciding just how big an airgun you want.....do you want a pistol or a rifle?

To be fair, there are serious competition organizations, as well as Olympic events centered around both types. Some shooters compete in both areas, showing a shooting ability well beyond the average shooter. But if I were to take a guess, and this is only a guess, I would pick the rifle as the most popular airgun for the average shooter.

The rifle is a useful item in so many ways. Many airgun shooters buy one in order to have off-season practice when hunting season isn't in swing. Others buy it for the pest control aspects that it provides, having it serve double duty for pest control and small game hunting. And many a young lad and lass has grown up longing for a "pop gun", usually in a rifle configuration. The ubiquitous "bb gun" such as the Daisy Red Ryder has ushered many a youngster into the shooting ranks of airgun enthusiasts. And the rifle is an easier airgun to master than the pistol.

You don't find a whole lot of pistols that generate the power needed for pest control and small game hunting. They are out there, to be sure, but a large portion of the pistol airguns are designed for "fun shooting" at very short ranges. For pest control and small game hunting, longer range and higher power levels are the order of the day, and that brings the shooter back to the rifle.

Rifles also come in enough different sizes that the buyer can buy rifles of shorter length that still deliver the power needed. For instance, you can get carbine versions of many rifles that have barrels anywhere from 2" to 8" shorter. This may not seem like much, but when you are trying to fit an airgun under the seat of a vehicle, or store it in an innocuous place, that difference in length matters. And since the powerplant is still that of a rifle, your energy levels are not affected nearly as much as if you were going to replace your rifle with a pistol. And if you are dealing with PCP's, your shot count still remains higher than that of any pistol.

Now, to praise the airgun pistol, let's look at some positives they have. They are compact,  easy to carry, and for the pure "fun" factor, hard to beat! There is something about pistol shooting that equates with enormous fun for most shooters, though precision shooting with a pistol is a discipline in itself. But if you want to roll a can, perforate some paper, or relax shooting flies off an old sweet roll, pistols deliver a great time. Sneak one into a backpack while hiking, and you can entertain yourself on rest stops. In an emergency, a small air pistol may help you obtain nourishment in the form of small critters.

Some pistols that I have owned are: Crosman 1377, Crosman 1322, RWS 5G, IZH-46M, Crosman Mark I, Gamo Compact, Crosman 2240, a custom 2240-based PCP pistol, and a few other custom bigbore pistols in 9mm, .45, and .50 caliber. These larger caliber pistols are rare and only truly shine in hunting situation where enormous power from an airgun is called for. However, the others that I mentioned are all great shooters, aiding me in passing leisure time as well as harvesting mice, squirrels, rabbits, and pest birds. 

Airgun Depot has a wide selection of available airguns, both pistols and rifles. It is up to you, the shooter, to determine your specific needs. If you have questions as to what I or others may recommend, please feel free to post a question regarding your circumstances, and we will do our best to give you our suggestions.

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 05:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Let's say you purchased your new airgun from Airgun Depot. Or maybe you got one for Christmas, and now that the holidays are over, you've found the time to get it out and start shooting. Grab your ammo, propellant if needed, and a popcan for a target, and go shooting.....right?

Wrong!

As in anything mechanical, airguns have quirks and oddities about them. And to minimize the struggles and disappointments that sometimes come our way with new devices, take a minute and do some of the following things. This list isn't exhaustive, but it is a good place to start.

1. Read the manual. Seriously, it's there for a purpose, and you might actually learn something that you didn't know if you'll give the manual a good reading. There are safety precautions for you to follow to be a safe shooter, and little tidbits of information that the manufacturer just couldn't share with you on the brightly covered and attractive box that your new airgun came in!

2. Familiarize yourself with the features. Heft the gun, get an idea of the balance. Locate the safety and note the positions of safe/fire. Take a look at the open sights if it has some, and take a bead on a safe target while the gun is still unloaded just so you'll know what to expect. If the gun is co2 or PCP, or even a multi-pump gun, you are okay doing a few dry-fire shots with no ammo. CHECK THE GUN TO BE SURE IT IS UNLOADED BEFORE DOING THIS. Mistakes happen, and safety is up to you!

3. Check the securing stock screws. This is especially important with spring-piston guns due to their recoil, but any gun needs to have the action securely fastened into the stock. One of the most aggravating experiences is to shoot a new airgun and not be able to hit your target. And the most common culprit to this experience is that the gun, during shipment or storage at the factory, has had the screws work loose.

4. Clean the barrel. I know you may have heard it said that airguns don't need their barrels cleaned often. That is true from my experiences, but when a gun comes from a factory, or out of long-term storage, there are preservative greases and oils that have been applied. You will be amazed how much gunk may come out of the barrel of a new, never-fired gun! Try running a patch through there and see if I'm not right. Do be careful when cleaning, and don't use harsh firearm solvents. Simple citrus-based cleaners are just fine for airgun barrels. Go easy on the crown with the cleaning rod so as not to mess up the final point of contact before the pellet leaves the gun. 

5. Shoot close first, then go for distance. Once you've read the manual, checked the features, fastened all the screws, and cleaned the barrel, you are much closer to enjoying your new airgun. So when you go out and finally start the shooting process, start close. Figure out what your gun can do at 10 yards before attempting 40 yard shots. Then ease the distance out further until you know you can hit your target at the given distance you want to shoot. Why? Because hitting your target is the whole purpose of shooting an airgun! There really is no other reason for getting an airgun other than being able to hit your target. This is true for plinkers, hunters, and competitors. If you can't hit your target, then you just bought an expensive tomato stake!

Airgun Depot has cleaning supplies, ammo, and more airguns to heighten your shooting enjoyment. Take the time to browse items that interest you, and don't forget Airgun Depot's video resource for further information on these item. Seeing them in action often helps you make a well-informed decision about your next purchase.

Posted by Randy Mitchell at 08:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)