First Adult Air Rifle for 50 year old?

Roger,

A R7 would be a fine choice, nice balance and a great trigger. A true all day plinker, although I'm biased I have 2, one pre safety open sights one newer with 4X scope.

Scott 

Thanks, Scott.  An R7 is right up there on my list!

What kind of budget did you have in mind? The R-7 is quite low powered, but very pleasant to shoot. The R-9 is higher powered, and I would include the RWS34 as a good possibility in the same class. The Xisico XS25 is a clone of the RWS34, at a very reasonable price (even tuned) (I have an XS25 with bamboo stock). Personally, I think that the Crosman NP guns are pretty decent also. I have one of the first generation Benji Trail AW NP guns that I really like, and the NP2s are supposed to be higher velocity, easier to cock, smoother shooting, and have a better trigger. (Just what I've heard.)

Also, I have AO scopes on almost everything that I own. Something to consider. I've had good luck with the Leapers scopes. that are very reasonably priced.

Thanks, Doug.  Definitely some things to consider here.  The budget is kind of  open right now.  This present is going to be from a group.  We'll be discussing the options this Sunday.  Scope, rings, pellets, open sights, will all have to be factored in to the budget picture.  I'm leaning toward what I think of as a classic sporter at this point.

Thanks again,

Roger 

I watched a video today comparing the Gamo Swarm and Walther Terrus. Almost a tie. Both will group 1/2 at 35 yards. And, both are under 7 pounds. The Gamo appeared easier to cock, but the Walther has a better shot-to-shot consistently. The Gamo has a 10 shot magazine. If cost is a concern there may be a good choice. Both are arround $200.

FWB 124D

I recommend finding a nice FWB 124D.  Nice used ones go for about $450.  They are not much larger than an R7 and almost as easy to cock but give more power and a little more range.

David Enoch

There's a Beeman R9 in the classifieds right now. It's fitted with a scope and rings. Looks brand new and reasonably priced unless there's something about it that I don't know about. I can't understand why somebody hasn't snapped it up by now. I really like it and I'd buy it for myself but I don't have the money right now.

BeemanR7

Don't think you could go wrong with either the R7 or the R9. Since he's a gun person and hunter, I'm sure he would appreciate the quality of either one.

If you want to get him a nice plinker it would be hard to go wrong with the R7. I have an HW30S and it's a very easy rifle to shoot accurately. And they are accurate. It's also easy to cock so it makes a good all day plinker. But it is lower powered so if he wants to use it for hunting or pesting the range would be limited by it's power.

Since he is a hunter maybe the R9 might be a better choice. Wouldn't want to plink all day with one due to the cocking effort. But it would make a good hunting rifle. 

If you're open to ordering from Europe, you might also consider the standard model HW35 with the beech stock. With the current exchange rate you can probably get one from Krale in the Netherlands for a little more than what you'd pay for an R7 stateside. Classic design with the locking barrel pivot. A bit heavy but helps with off-hand shooting. Typical HW accuracy and enough power to hunt and pest. And it just has a quality look to it.

And if the budget allows, add a set of BKL rings and a 3-9x40AO Nikon EFR. It's a great scope for any of them.

+1 as David said on the FWB 124d. Also the R9  in .177 shooting  jsb 8.4  850/870 fps. Nice flat trajectory for making brain shot. Both are fantastic pesting/hunting rigs for tree rats out to 50 yds. Poly mags are accurate in both also. I would highly recommend the .177 .

Yeah, what David Enoch said. 

FWB 124, hands down!

Since it's a gift from a group get an all in one package either this http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/spring-piston/weihrauch-hw95l-field-pro/ It's an R9 that comes with a scope upgraded stock and muzzle break. R7 is too weak R9 is the best springer gun other there dollar for dollar. Or your other option is this http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/gas-ram/diana-am03-stealth-n-tec-combo-.22/ if you think he will like the look better. It's a little cheaper and quality not quite as nice but HW's are super twangy out of the box this one is gas ram so pretty smooth by comparison. It comes with a case and really from a gift perspective it's the total package ready to go out of the box. PCP is a pain in the ass for a new person. You don't want to part it out and get a scope here rifle there etc get an all in one package. 

You don't want to get guy new to airguns a used air rifle that has been out of production for 20 years as a gift. Really? Only hard core airgunners that know about 124's and would appreciate that rifle and if it ever has an issue your screwed trying to get it serviced unless you send it to a tuner. That is not the sort of rifle you give to someone that is new to the sport. Sure it's a nice rifle for it's day but totally inappropriate in this context.

Thanks, guys,

I appreciated all the excellent recommendations and advice.  The R7 is at the top of my list right now.  I want to give my friend the best start possible with a spring piston rifle. A classic wood stock rifle, easy to cock and shoot accurately, seems like the way to go for right now.  He and his wife can both shoot it for fun.  If he really likes it and is interested in more power, he'll buy another air rifle.  I might even get him to try Field Target!

Thanks again,

Roger

R7's are nice but one caveat: the stocks are kind of short. So depending on your wingspan it might need a spacer. I'd get a R9 or a 124 myself.

Posted by: RogerBarker

  He and his wife can both shoot it for fun.

 

You didn't mention that his wife may be shooting it, too. That puts a different perspective on things and in that case I would recommend the R7 or an HW30S. And I'd go with the .177. I think the .177 would make a little better plinking/pesting gun due to having less of a rainbow trajectory at this power level than the .22. And in the case of pesting, the little .177 will find it's way thru feathers easier than the .22 but can still take a rabbit or squirrel if the range is kept short.

HW-50. Or the R-8 over on classifieds. Id get R-8 if it was me.

My HW 85 has been my favorite break barrel.  Same as the 95/R9 platform but a slightly longer barrel.  I home tuned this with a hornet spring, which nails to the stock guide, normal polishing of all bearing surfaces.  It is accurate, and cocks like a 124, but with a better trigger ?.  These were less than $275 shipped from Krale when times were good.

Jason Garvin

Email Me:  njnoodles at verizon dot net 

I have a Brand New HW30 Deluxe with professionally installed Vortex Spring I think would make a great gift at a great price for your buddies gift.  I'm 100% BOI, just ask around.  I wasn't planning on selling it, but after reading your post I'm inclined too sell it to convert a powder burner to the Airgunner Realm.  Noodles

Isn't the Walther Terrus or LGU supposed to be a nice, new weapon?

Thanks, Bill and all,

I'm still leaning toward a tried and true classic for my friend's first adult airgun.  Tomorrow I'll be discussing the options with the other guys in on this.  I'm pretty sure we'll go with an R7 or HW30 deluxe.  The next decision is the scope.  I'll start another thread on this.

Thanks again,

Roger

Any thought to a pumper like a Benji or perhaps a Crosman 1400 that's had a Mac1 kit?

Matchstickshooter, did consider a pumper, I have a new to me Benji right now I'm having fun with.  I have ruled out pumpers.  I want to keep it simple for this new guy.

Thanks for the thought,

Roger

Good choice. Springers are easy to use, especially the R7's, just like shooting a single shot rimfire. Lightweight, a pretty nice rifle to look at, it just exudes quality. I'm sure he'll be thrilled. He must be a good guy to have friends like you-all.