elnino wrote:Hi all, I'm looking at purchasing my first rifle (Air).
Looking at .177 and want it mainly for Pigeons, starlings and plinking/target at close ish range ~20m or less.
I'm not necessarily looking for a 'forever' rifle, just something to get started so on the cheaper end. No PCP, CO2 or 'pump'
After doing some reading, I think I would prefer a Nitrogen piston type but are these too new to know how much longevity to expect from them?
The LGS suggested a BSA Meteor EVO at about $350 but it's a springer - The GRT version is about $480 which is probably more than I wanted to spend but it is a good quality rifle by the looks.
For the price point, the Crosman Shockwave NP looks ok but in general, Crosman seem to have some gripes looking at reviews - Trigger, plasticky etc.
At the moment I feel like I'm at a compromise between a 'cheaper' Nitrogen piston rifle or a better quality springer - What would you do?
I bought my second air-rifle this year, after buying my first in 1980.
I was as lost as you sound, but I ended up with a Crosman Slayer .177 Nitro springer and I'm pretty happy with it. It's rated at 18ft-lbs and seems to hit pretty hard, but if you want to shoot birds I would use a .22LR. The air-rifle is decently accurate, but it's loud, .22LR is more accurate, has much longer range, and the high-end hunting pellets are more expensive than .22LR ammo. Try .22LR CCI Quiet 710fps, very quiet.
The scope on the Crosman is absolute garbage, and I think that's the case with all the lower-priced air-rifle packages, so expect to be buying a scope as well.