For the break-barrel enthusiast, Crosman has now introduced the Benjamin Nitro Piston series of air rifles, powered by the nitrogen-filled gas ram licensed by Crosman. Placing this power-plant into some very fine rifles has given Crosman some wonderful new offerings for the air rifle shooter, and today we will look at the Benjamin Trail XL.

As you can see, this is a handsome rifle that comes with a thumbhole stock, a 3-9x40 AO scope with a mil-dot reticle, and a weaver-base mounting system that is secure and sturdy. White-line spacers between the buttpad and stock highlight the fit and finish of the rifle, and the barrel features a full-length shroud.

I mounted the scope in the provided rings, placed it all on the gun, and went outside for some shooting and pattern evaluation. I shot several kinds of pellets from the Trail XL and found each pellet performed well. This gun was not pellet fussy, though other rifles of the same make may prove fussy. It all depends on the barrel that each gun has, so I always steer new buyers towards trying out several different kinds of pellets just to be sure of what works the best in their gun.

This 3-shot pattern proves how well each pellet performed. All the pellets I tried gave a similar result, as the next photo shows.

I really like a gun that isn't pellet fussy, and this one is on my list of candidates for membership in my stable of airguns!

Now the Trail XL is a long gun, just slightly over four feet in length. That length helps in the cocking of the gun as you have a longer lever for compressing the gas ram that powers this machine. To aid in carrying the gun afield, Benjamin has located a sling swivel at the front, and a mounting stud installed into the butt of the gun.

The power of the Benjamin Trail XL is well into the high 20's in foot-pounds of energy (fpe). With a 15-16 grain pellet, I was getting just over 27 fpe, quite a punch for a break-barrel rifle. This is coupled with the lower recoil and smoother firing action of the nitro-piston rather than the traditional twang and torque of a coiled spring. The rifle feels different during the firing process, and it is quieter than the comparable spring piston rifle. And, you can leave it cocked for extended periods of time in the field with no damage or wear to the powerplant.

For a hunting rifle that is self-contained and powerful, you really need to consider this Benjamin Trail NP XL1122. (That is the designation for the .22 caliber version - the .177 version is XL1500). The chrony readings I got placed the afore-mentioned medium-weight pellets in the high 800's. Here's a pic of a chrony reading from the shooting session to confirm that for our readers.

Chrony reading from a 15-16 grain pellet from the Benjamin Trail XL.

Smack a squirrel or rabbit with that kind of power, and you have game in the bag! Want to knock over a nice metal silhouette? This one will do it!

Currently selling for $299.90, you will receive an air rifle, scope, mounts, and a sling all in one package. Add some pellets, and you are ready to go!

Let's start with Ammunition:

For pellets, I choose the Crosman Premier.  Why? Of all the pellets I've tried over the years, I have found the Crosman Premier to be an excellent choice for almost every air gun I have. It isn't always the absolutely most accurate, but it always seems to come in among the top contenders on a very consistent basis. They are American-made, hard hitting, and come in the most common calibers available to please a majority of shooters.

The well-designed Crosman Premier in .177

Now. let's move on to Handguns:

Once again, the Crosman corporation has an almost universally-accepted contender for a favorite pistol. I am talking about the Crosman 2240, a work-horse of a CO2 gun for a lot of shooters. Widely available, with an enormous amount of modifications available from the aftermarket, this little pistol truly is a treasure. In stock form, it delivers accuracy and power. Want more? Dive into the world of modifying, and you'll find entire forums and websites devoted to just this one gun!

The Crosman 2240 CO2 pistol

Need a good rifle? Crosman can certainly deliver in that category. Here's my pick of the litter for this category:

Rifles

The Benjamin Marauder has won my heart for an extremely economical bolt-action repeater that delivers power and accuracy. I know that it is labeled a Benjamin, but it falls under the roof of the Crosman corporation, and has become a wonderful seller for airgun companies, and a great shooting piece for the air gun enthusiast. With all the features of the more pricey European air rifles, this wonderful rifle competes with the best of them in the field or at the target range. My first squirrel hunt with the .22 caliber version gave me conclusive evidence that this gun would be a winner for some time to come for Crosman, and I applaud them for their work on this model.

The Benjamin Marauder, a 10-shot bolt action repeater from Crosman

In Accessories, I have to choose the following item:

Crosman CO2 Powerlets 

The Powerlet from Crosman powers CO2 airguns with a minimum of fuss, easy convenience, and the ability to carry extra power in the field with out the need for bulky tanks. Well made and able to fit most CO2 airguns designed for their use, this cartridge or powerlet is well designed and stable, and very simple to use. If you've ever wondered how these were made, watch this video for an explanation:

How CO2 Cartridges are Made

So, there you have it....my pick of the Crosman products featured here at Airgun Depot in the 4 categories of ammo, rifle, pistol, and accessories. Give us some feedback and let us know what item you like the best!

Not too many years ago, the Theoben company brought out a new twist in the power plant design of the piston rifle. Rather than a spring, they used a gas-filled strut, and it has been nicknamed the gasram, a term commonly used for this type of powerplant. Instead of having a spring that is subject to kinking, metal fatigue, and some twang (when not properly fitted), Theoben substituted the gasram and pretty much made history. The results were a definite difference in firing behavior, one that was quite enjoyable straight from the box. I've owned several rifles over the years that were equipped with Theoben's gasram, and found them to be exceptional performers and wonderful guns to shoot.

Now Crosman has introduced the Nitro Piston series of air rifles that use the same idea. Filled with nitrogen, the gas piston technology is now offered in nearly a dozen different configurations in the Crosman line of rifles. Here's a link to the page containing those selections:

Nitro Piston Rifles

Recently, Jim Chapman of the American Airgun Hunter website performed some tests on the Nitro Piston rifles from Crosman. Jim is the airgun editor and columnist for Predator Extreme Magazine, as well as some other outdoor magazines and venues. Click on the links below to access his initial reports of his testing section. You will find some very useful information in regards to the performance and accuracy of the Nitro Piston design.

Jim Champan's Nitro Trail Report

Squirrel Hunting with the Nitro Piston Air Rifle

Jim and I have had the pleasure of hunting together over the years, and enjoy getting together for small and big game hunts. I have found Jim's insight into the many different air guns that he gets to test both useful and accurate when making purchases of my own, or offering advice to others who are in the market for a new air gun.

As Jim notes in his articles, two of the main advantages of using a Nitro Piston air rifle are that you can leave the gun cocked for extended periods without damaging the power plant, and you will realize a decreased effect of the bi-directional recoil that is a proven scope killer. The firing behavior of a Nitro Pistol air rifle versus the traditional spring piston is noticeable, and if you get the chance, I urge you to test them side by side in order to readily notice the differences.

On Airgun Depot's website you will find several configurations of Nitro Piston powered guns. Synthetic stocks, wood stocks, and wood laminates offer a nice range of options for the shooting enthusiast. Be sure to drop by and take a look at all they have to offer the air gun shooter!

Would you please explain to me what is is about shooting an airgun that you enjoy the most?

Now, once that question has been asked of you, I'd like for you to take a minute and think about your response before you put it into words. The rest of this article is my answer to that very same question.

"What do I enjoy the most about shooting an airgun? I suppose that as a hunter, I enjoy taking my prey with the least amount of power possible. The use of firearms in many of the places I hunt would be frowned upon, so I elect to use air guns instead. But that isn't the only reason.

I really do enjoy the satisfaction I get from hitting my target with a well-placed shot. One of my favorite activities is to simply plink with an airgun that can deliver the accuracy I demand of my airguns. Inaccurate air guns don't interest me all that much.

What I enjoy about shooting an airgun is the workings of the mechanisms employed to make the shot possible. The balance of a coiled spring pushing a piston forward just far enough to create that pulse that expels the pellet from the barrel on an accurate journey is sheer beauty. The balance of internal pressure in a sealed cylinder, when directed through a port to arrive behind the pellet, and being able to reproduce that effect shot after shot.....that is interesting stuff to me. The graceful lines of an airgun that incorporates all the moving parts needed to provide a workable power plant for the simple purpose of pushing a small lead projectile through a barrel.....those are works of art that show craftsmanship beyond any simple ability I have on my own.

The history of airguns is also an enjoyable part of my air gun hobby. Knowing even a little about the evolution of the airgun, who carried one in combat, who went on great journeys of discovery with an airgun.....that is neat stuff! I had no idea until I looked into it that the biggest airgun ever used in combat was on a US warship....a neat little tidbit for the history buff!

Shooting with my children is a great pastime, and air guns allow me to do that more frequently than if I used firearms for the same purpose. My children and I sit on the front or back porch and plink away at whatever target is available that day. The simple joys of rolling a can across the yard brings grins to my faces of my children, and ultimately to me as well. It also allows opportunities for safety training in a safer environment.

But perhaps the best thing that I enjoy about shooting air guns is the people I meet while doing it. I have made some very good friends that I talk with on a weekly basis, though we are separated by geographical locations and time zones. With the internet, I converse with individuals from all over the world who enjoy the same sport and hobby I do, though they may have different reasons for that enjoyment. The longest trip I have ever made in my entire life was made with fellow air gun shooters who I met on the internet.  And the swap meets and air gun shows I attend serve to further cement those relationships as we all get together to enjoy shared interests and  hobbies.

Air guns have enriched my life in a way I never thought possible. All I really wanted to do those several years ago was get the squirrels out of my attic.....I could not have predicted how much air guns would have changed my life a decade ago.

So.....why do you enjoy airguns?

The next day, or even later the same day, you pop a pest bird at a given distance. Then on the next pest you get a clean miss! Huh? All your testing up 'til now tells you the gun is shooting the same place no matter where in the fill you are. What gives?! (I'll bet you the pests were at different distances from you, the shooter).

Did you test your gun at different ranges? Remember you are shooting a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) that has, from shot to shot, a different amount of air pressure driving the pellet. Unless your gun comes with a regulator, it will have a bell curve if you plot out the velocity. And that's why your shots will register at different impact points once you stop shooting at a short-range, given distance all the time.

There was a recent post on the yellow forum that got me thinking about how this was a great topic for the newer air gun shooter. My thanks to Robert for planting this blog topic in my brain, and this is why you NEED a chronograph to better understand your air gun. You see, at 20 yards, there will hardly be a perceptible difference in the points of impact because you are so close to the target. The differences from shot to shot will really show up when you start shooting at longer ranges.

Here's a link to the entry discussing Robert's results, and I challenge you to follow some of his testing procedures to determine how your gun shoots at different ranges and different pressures.

Why You Need a Chronograph

As you can see from the author's testing, there is a sweet spot in the fill pressure where there is little more than 20 fps difference for a series of shots. That's what you want for repeatable performance. At short ranges, you'll hardly notice any difference, but if you stretch out your range, you'll begin to notice quite a bit more variance in the point of impact, though you may be rock solid in your hold and aiming technique. It isn't you, it's the nature of a PCP air rifle. Pay particular attention to the graph that is contained in the post referenced above for a good visual aid on how declining pressure affects your point of impact.

Some things you need to know when you use a chronograph are:

1. The first sensor starts the clock, and the second sensor stops it. There is an oscillator inside the gun that is quite steady, and the onboard computer know how many oscillations between the start and stop points triggered by the shadow of your projectile passing over the sensors.

2. In order for #1 above to work, you need a constant light source. Fluorescent bulbs flicker and mess up the readings. You need diffused sunlight or an incandescent bulb that gives a steady light supply for the chrony to work correctly.

3, Muzzle blast can set off the chrony and produce an erratic measurement that isn't true. Back up just a little in order to make the chrony work better. Point blank range isn't all it's supposed to be when measuring velocities. Back up a foot or two from the sensors.

4.  Shooting from a repeatable rested position is best in order to get accurate reading that don't vary because the shooter is moving too much, or not holding the gun in the same position.

Here is a link to Airgun Depot's selection of chronographs. You will find great prices on these useful tools for the shooter. Enjoy!

Chronographs

This weekend I broke my back in two places. I had a lawnmower turn over on me and do a number on my spine, but I am home and wishing I could go out shooting. Here are some things I am confident of right off the bat:

1. I will NOT be shooting any hard to cock springers. I have a weight limit of 5 lbs. that I can lift with the doctor's permission. Nothing more! So trying to cock even a spring pistol, much less a rifle is out of bounds.

2. Bending over to get a good sight plane is out of bounds for several weeks. I have a brace covering my entire torso keeping my injured spine in place while it heals.

3.  Moving heavy air tanks from place to place in order to air up a PCP is going to be a problem.

4. Hand pumping doesn't even exist in my current universe!

5. CO2 air guns are going to save the day for me!

Once I took stock of my physical condition, I began to see some of the challenges that my physically-handicapped shooting brethren are trying to overcome on a daily basis. What I take for granted as easy to do and achieve has suddenly become almost impossible without some help.

The CO2-powered pistols such as the Crosman 2240 and the EB series of pistols from Benjamin will be the easiest air guns for me to enjoy for the next little while. Airgun Depot has quite a selection of other CO2 air pistols that would also fit the bill for shooting enjoyment. Here is a link to the entire category of CO2 pistols:

CO2 Pistols

These are some of the air guns that I can physically handle at this time, considering the weight limits the doctor has imposed on me, my own ability to aim and shoot, and enough accuracy for me to enjoy shooting at animate or inanimate targets.  There is also the added enjoyment of being able to shoot these guns inside with an adequate backstop in place.

Another range of air pistols would be the AirSoft line of air guns that Airgun Depot carries, too. Here is a link to those items which may be of interest to a shooter in my condition:

AirSoft Guns

Being physically challenged as a shooter doesn't have to mean you must give up shooting. You simply have to work around whatever obstacles are in your way to continue your enjoyment of a great sport. Let Airgun Depot help you out with their great selection of equipment for your shooting needs!

Here is a brief 7 minute video on how the high pressure scuba tanks are made. Many airgunners use this kind of setup to fill their PCP airguns, and understanding how they are made just adds to the enjoyment of our hobby.

Direct link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPJpufCj89I

Different tanks from different makers and made in similar fashion. The latest development in high pressure vessels involves the carbon fiber wrapped aluminum tanks that greatly reduce the weight of the gear. And there is a new development for firefighters that puts a flat pack tank, consisting of 5 different chambers, in a harness that is worn in place of the more traditional cylindrical tank on the back. It is slimmer and lighter, and is being tested according to the reports I have read.

Having a good relationship with your local fire department pays big dividends for the air gun shooter. I get my air for free, and as a thank you I will drop a turkey or ham by every so often, or several pounds of venison during deer season. The fire fighters appreciate it, and it goes a long way towards recognizing their contribution to your hobby/sport, not to say the least for the way they lay their life on the line when doing their jobs on our behalf.

Enjoy the video!

Some nice rifles and pellet cases for use in the field.

Eric Henderson of Bigbore Airguns.

Nice row of airguns!

Dennis Quackenbush and an interested customer.

Leroy Roduner who designed the Gargoyle .452.

Larry Hannusch (r) and his display.

Mike Reames' table.....he makes neat stuff!

My display with all the hats!

Jack Haley's Southern Airgun Conversion table.

Tom Strayhorn's Walther display.

 Middle gun is a prototype Theoben underlever. Great shooter, too.

Come on out and enjoy an airgun show sometime. You'll be glad you did!

That said, it shouldn't come as a surprise to seasoned shooters that many of their new-to-airgun brethren often pick a scope that is simply not compatible with the gun they have chosen to use. Though many forum members grow tired of the constant "what scope should I use" question, it is comforting to see quite a bit of good advice being given to the novice shooter by veterans of the "scope wars" that crop up from time to time.

Consider the following:

1. If you are hunting, depending on the game you are pursuing, you are more likely to need a wide field of view because animals rarely tend to stay still very long. Their day to day activities call for them to move while grazing or hunting prey, and a wide field of view helps in keeping up with them. Having high-magnification scopes on hunting airguns may not make the best sense for the majority of prey.

2. Variable power? Do you really need it? The answer is "not always". More than one famous outdoor writer has made the comment that a fixed power is the better option for heavy recoiling firearms, and the same consideration carries over to airguns. Most shooters could do very well with a simple 4x power scope. Fixed power scopes have less internal moving parts, and are less prone to being thrown off their settings since there is less to go wrong on the inside. 

3. Here's a hint for you....don't adjust your scope all the way left or right, up or down. Stay in the mid-range of adjustment possibilities, and use an adjustable mount to get "close enough" in order to fine tune with the scope knobs. If you go too far in any one direction, you'll find the other adjustment possibilities limited because the reticle mounts lose their ability to have any effect on their parameter because the room remaining for adjustment is so limited. Move too far to the side or top or bottom of the barrel of the scope, then you have no way for the scope to move any further on the remaining adjustment axis. (Hope that makes sense.....I probably didn't say that very clear)

4. You can hit a lot of targets with an inexpensive scope. Most of my hunting is done with sub-$100 scopes, and to be blunt, I've killed more animals than most with airguns. You can accomplish quite a bit with budget-level scopes, but it calls for the shooter to do some testing and work on repeatable performance before trusting the hunt of a lifetime, or a once-in-a-blue-moon competition opportunity to an un-tested and untried scope. Just because your scope is expensive doesn't mean that it will perform as expected. The current crop of scopes at Airgun Depot are ALL under $200 at the time of this entry. Don't be afraid to try some of the budget scopes....you may be surprised!

5. Got your scope set? Leave it alone! Sure, it's okay to experiment and learn as much as you can about the scope, but once you have it set, leave the darn thing alone! Do a few test shots to determine whether it is still on the proper setting after you travel with it, but otherwise, continuous fiddling with it will lead to frustration that isn't the scopes fault!

Browse through Airgun Depot's scope category and pick a great scope at a great price after you've mulled over the comments in this blog entry. And have a great time shooting!

Crossbows

Crossbows are an item that Airgun Depot has put in their merchandise selection to address the needs of hunters and recreational shooters who enjoy crossbows and archery merchandise. Let's take a look at 3 of the crossbows offered by Airgun Depot.

The Bristol Jr. - designed as a teaching crossbow, this item shoots safety darts, and is wonderful for teaching hand/eye coordination. It is built from composite materials and should last for many years, perhaps teaching more than one youngster how to safely enjoy archery and crossbow shooting.

Use this little gem of a crossbow to safely teach your beginner, or to have fun indoors with family competitions and fun time. Got a rainy day? Break it out and shoot indoors with no problems!

Stepping up in size to a crossbow that will be suitable for small game hunting, you will find the     NC Star crossbow. This crossbow is simple, but powerful enough for the beginning shooter or veteran alike who wants a simple, easy to use light crossbow for rabbits or squirrels. Take a look at the features below the picture:

Integrated Compess in Stock
Front and rear sites adjustable for windage and elevatin
Compact light weight design-fun for all ages!.
Strong steel cable with brass pulleys.
Unique rear cocking system.
Ninety pound draw weight.
Front and rear sights pious a 3/8''dovetail rail.

Stepping up to the big boy of the crossbow family here at Airgun Depot, you find the Bristol Crossbow, a 150-lb. draw bow capable of deer and hog-sized animals. Sporting an optics rail in the Weaver-style, you can attach your optics for sighting in and head out afield.

The specs on this crossbow are:

Model Number- ABX285
Velocity- 285 to 295 fps
Weight- 8.5 lbs.
Length- 36"
Safety- Ambidextrous
Draw- Weight 150 lbs.
Stock- Composite
Limbs- Quad System
Riser- Aluminum
System- Cam Wheel
Optics- 3 Dot Red / Green Dot
Decoration- Realtree Hardwoods HD
Width- 26" Axle to Axle

With speeds rivaling many compound bows on the market today, this crossbow will serve the beginning and intermediate hunter well. Get to know the Bristol Crossbow well enough, and you may not ever need to upgrade, finding that this crossbow will serve all your needs depending on how you hunt.

So there....non-airgun stuff from Airgun Depot! Enoy!

My daughter is only 9 years old, but she loves to watch me shoot, and shoot her older brothers' guns. But I thought it was time she had one of her own, and found this little gem of an airgun from Gamo called the Lady Recon. Complete with a hot pink stock, it keeps a little girl happy when shooting with the guys in the family, and the styling on the gun makes it uniquely hers.

As you can see, the size of the Lady Recon lends itself to children and small adults. With only 19 lbs. of cocking effort needed, even my little girl can cock it once I showed her how to brace it against her hip or a step of the porch. Notice, I also showed her how to continue holding on to the barrel while loading. This is a safety measure that keeps a shooter safe in the unlikely event that the barrel snaps back in place from a mechanical failure.

The Lady Recon comes with open sights, a polymer covering on the barrel, and a 3/8" scope groove for the times when you want to use a scope. The entire stock is synthetic, helping to keep the gun nice and light for our smaller shooters.

And did I mention it was pink? You should have seen the size of my little girl's eyes when she opened it.....not to mention the big grin!

My daughter was excited when she got her Lady Recon, and pestered me for two days before we actually had a chance to get out and shoot it. So I showed her the safety, how to aim, the proper way to cock it, and how to safely load it. And would you believe on her first shot, she hit the pop can dead center? Really! I'm not making that up! 

Here are some specs on the Lady Recon for you to consider when you purchase a gun for your little girl or fellow shooter of the fairer gender:

Regardless, the Air Force Condor continues to do excellent duty as a fun gun to shoot, satisfyingly controlling the pests around my property.  I've been out to the barn and have managed to put down a starling or two over the past few weeks with it. I only took one pic of a starling since one starling looks just like another to me.....I can't even tell the males and females apart!

The most memorable shot so far was a 53 yard shot to the top of a very tall tree. The shot was taken from the back porch near the end of the day when the starlings are flying back towards their nesting sites. They will often stop off at designated points and voice their challenge to the world, or their satisfaction with it, and spend a few moments assaulting my ears with their warbling. I get quite a few shots at them in the evenings, as well as early mornings, if I am patient and move slowly. They are a watchful bird, and once you've educated them to the danger near your house, they will often avoid it. That is my goal, even if I don't kill them, they get an education and don't stop on my property, which gives my songbirds and bluebirds a respite from these marauders.

Anyway, a 53 yard shot sent a Korean heavy dome sizzling through the air, and the smack was audible even from 53 yards away. The total collapse of the starling from annoying noise maker to plummeting black object took less than 2 seconds, and the ground, far below, rose up fast and administered another smack upon impact. One down.....several million to go. No lack of targets with these critters!

As you can see, I'm still using the Air Force Condor in stock condition with the exception of an aftermarket frame extender on the front. This serves to lessen the report of the air gun, allowing expansion room for the gases, and the heavy pellets stay under the speed of sound, lessening the supersonic crack that occurs when you shoot too light of a pellet.

The power of the Air Force Condor is all one can hope for in a small-bore airgun. It ranks among the most powerful available, and delivers accuracy and performance that simply makes you smile....a lot!

I will continue updating the use of the Condor over the next few months as small game seasons come and go, and available pests show up for target practice. And perhaps an extra barrel or two will make its way into the case that holds this gun, offering added fun and versatility to an already great air gun.

Let's further assume that you want a .177 caliber air rifle that will break the speed of sound with nearly every pellet on the market. You need an Air Force Condor.

Perhaps you want an air rifle that can switch calibers in just a few minutes, from .177 all the way up to .25 caliber. You need an Air Force Condor.

And last, but not least, let's say you need an Air Rifle that you can accessorize to the max, with rails already a part of the gun where you can hang lasers, lights, infra-red emitters, and cameras. You need an Air Force Condor. 

I've recently picked up my second Air Force rifle, this one a Condor. I've had a Talon in the past, and really liked it. It had quite a few things going for it. I let it go in a weak moment, and finally got around to getting another Air Force rifle, albeit the big brother of the Talon.

My condor is a .177 caliber model, and I plan to purchase the other barrels for it to have a complete set one of these days. If you noticed above, I mentioned a .177 caliber that slings lead WAY past the speed of sound. And this one does it quite nicely. Even with Beeman Kodiaks, it still goes supersonic on the LOWEST power setting. I haven't even turned it up yet to play with the higher power settings as I'm currently culling starlings with it and don't need upper power band yet. I actually have to shoot the Korean-made Eun Jin extra heavy pellets in it to get it to slow down below the speed of sound, eliminating the supersonic crack that occurs when you shoot such a powerful rifle.

Just this morning, I parked my van in the driveway, cracked open the sliding door, and watched the old maple tree in front for starlings searching for nesting places. Before long, one came in and began searching through the branches, intent on stealing the best nesting sites for itself, thus kicking out my beloved bluebirds from their reserved spaces in my trees. With a frame extender installed, I was able to keep the firing report down when I sent the .177 caliber Korean heavy dome into the offending starling. Not a twitch.....just a falling off the branch terminal dive into the ground after I pulled the trigger. This gun packs such a wallop that if you are anywhere near on target, light-bodied animals like birds don't stand a chance.

I've actually seen an FT shooter using an Air Force rifle once, though I think it was the Talon because of the power limit of 20 fpe for the shoot. The Lothar Walther barrels that come with these guns are quite accurate, and I've been impressed so far with the results I am getting from my gun. Both Beeman Kodiaks and the Eun Jins are printing very nice groups at 30-50 yards.

The gun is manufactured here in the United States, and has a devoted following among air gunners. There are several aftermarket shops that cater to the hot-rodders needs on this gun, and some truly impressive results have been reported on the web about this gun. Some folks are going hog hunting with it, and have the pics to prove it. In .25 caliber, it is a hammer for certain, and is capable of hunting feats most would not try with a smallbore air rifle.

As you can see, the gun has the tank serving double-duty as the butt of the gun. Holding 3000 psi, the valve is on the tank, not in the gun. A special adapter allows you to hook the tank to a handpump or SCBA setup. I prefer the SCBA setup, cause the handpump is too much like exercise for my tastes. 

Now notice the rails built into the gun. Under the barrel is a wonderful rail for hooking accessories up. On top of the barrel housing is another rail for even more accessories. And the carrying rail on top that doubles as your scope rail is as solid as they come. You can carry the gun like briefcase without any fear of messing up your scope alignment. The rail is part of the frame of the rifle itself and won't move on you.

The safety is located just inside the trigger guard, in front of a very nice trigger even in stock condition, one that is adjustable. You can adjust it to your liking and pull off some very nice shots with the sensitivity this gun lends to your tactile feel of the trigger. And the aftermarket tuners can milk even more from the gun if you so choose.

In our next blog post, we'll take a look at some velocities that I'm getting on low power with a couple of different kinds of pellets. And perhaps a picture of a starling or groundhog may show up, compliments of the Air Force Condor, a true powerhouse among air guns!

I often carry a multi-pump pistol in my truck or car for those moments when I'm out and about and a shooting opportunity arises. It could be I've seen a pest that is in need of ventilating, or perhaps I've gotten bored and want to shoot some targets where allowed. Taking up almost no room, the multi-pump pistol comes into its own in ease of storage and performance.

Airgun Depot carries a selection of multi-pumps that deserve your consideration when shopping for a new pistol. Take a look in this section here:

Multi Pump Pistols

One of the most popular pistols in this category is the Crosman 1377. This .177 caliber pellet gun can send a pellet down range with some impressive velocity for such an easy gun to pump. Consider the spceifications of this air gun:

Single shot bolt action

Velocity - up to 600 fps

32 oz. weight

13.6 inches of length

Rifled steel barrel

Adjustable rear sights

I've used the Crosman 1377 for short-range hunting and pest control for years. It always does its part. And you will find quite a few aftermarket parts for the 1377 that you can purchase online to upgrade your pistol.

Are you buying the 1377 as a gift for someone? Then consider the Air Pistol Gift Pack that combines a Crosman 1377 with Shatterblast targets and a tin of pellets. It's all you need to get started shooting!

Another worthy multi-pump pistol is the Benjamin HB Series of pistols.  These pistols are also self-contained shooters, available in both .177 and .22 caliber. Rugged construction has made this series of pistol a favorite through the years. The barrel is soldered to the pump tube for added rigidity, improving your accuracy. American walnut furniture adorns the gun, and the brass metal is finely finished in black.

Here are some specs for you on this type of multi-pump pistol:

In .177, velocity is 525 fps

All metal construction using brass

Length: 12.25 inches

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Rifled barrel

Bolt action single shot

Fixed front sighte

Rear sight adjustable for elevation

As mentioned above, the HB model also comes in .22 caliber, one of the few remaining .22 caliber pump pistols left.

Slip one these guns into your car, truck, backpack, or briefcase, and you have a great shooting tool at your call whenever you need it. With all the features they deliver, you will find the multi-pump pistols well worth your shooting dollar.

There are LOTS of different kinds of airguns. Every manufacturer out there is vying for your hard-earned dollar, and they will all try to convince you that their product is the one you need. But let's take a realistic look at just how much airgun certain kinds of airgunners need.

If John Q. Public likes to shoot in his backyard in surburbia, intending only to ventilate one of the most common backyard objects available to modern man (that is, the aluminum drink can), then just about any air gun that can hit the can at the distance allowed by a small backyard in the city will suffice. Happily, there are MANY airguns that fall in that category, and you can accomplish the aforementioned can-mangling event with some truly inexpensive examples of air gun manufacturing. You don't have to spend a lot to have a great time! If, however, there are some status issues involved in what John Q. Public wants to be seen shooting, he can spend as much as he likes in getting the can-mangler of his choice!

Now let's assume that John Q. Public is more interested in wearing the occasional outfit of camo, and taking a walk in the woods while doing so. It would be a safe bet that he is out after some form of moving target, either game or pest, and his air gun should reflect the level of power needed to do a good job of making that game animal or pest stop moving. Again, there are some wonderful candidates for such an endeavor, and like the backyard can mangler, he can spend as much as he wants on a suitable air gun to do the job. And, he gets to wear camo while doing it!

What's that? You notice that John Q. Public happens to have a competitive streak in him that is showing through? Well, say no more! There are competitions available that will satisfy the most competitive shooter you can name, from classic 10-meter Olympic-style shooting, to Field Trial, to long range bigbore shooting! "On Your Honor" postal matches can be found online, and impromptu neighborhood shoots are quite common in the airgunning world. And this category really lets you wind up the wallet for a hefty expenditure if you are so inclined! Top-rated shooters can spend literally thousands of dollars in gear to stay on the cutting edge of competitiveness.

There are quite a few John Q. Publics walking around that are very civic minded, and I'm not talking about riding around in a Honda all day, either. Nurturing the next generation of shooters while serving the public good is a wonderful outlet for our airgunning brethren who care deeply about the future of our sport. These individuals will spend quite a bit of their own money to ensure that every child that comes out to shoot will be able to enjoy the sport to the fullest. Quite honestly, we need more of this variety of John Q. Public!

Now, I don't know where you fall in this particular selection of shooters mentioned above, but what I'm getting at is this.....you can find what you need here at Airgun Depot. Take a look around, ask questions, and get as much airgun as you need for the kind of shooting you want to do!