Airguns HElP!!!

[Airgunner]

I'm in the market for a new airgun and I don't know what to get. I've narrowed it down to three choices. The Beeman GS1000, the Gamo hunter 220, or the Winchester 1000x. I also need to decide whether to get .177 or .22 cal. Iwould also like to know the velocity of the Hunter 220 in .22 cal. I will be using the gun for rabbits and squirrels and for shooting pests in my back yard. :-)

[dave]

For the $200 price tag of the GS 1000, there are better values than these three. The RWS 94, made by Cometa in Spain, for $175, or the Diana 34 for just over $200 to name a couple. Check out Compasseco for details on these guns. http://www.compasseco.com/

 The Winchester is not reliable, will need a lot of tinkering to shoot well, and most are full of nasty grease that will cause the piston seal to burn up in a couple thousand shots. The trigger is horrible too. Theres been so many complaints and QC problems that Daisy is apparently discontinuing the Turkish-made line and replacing it with Spanish-made guns. Of the three choices, the Beeman would be first, and the other two not even considered.
As for caliber, either is ok for squirrels and other small pests. The .22 cal is slower but retains more energy down range, but a high power .177 will have a flatter trajectory and so less drop and less guessing of holdover at ranges other than what the gun is zeroed for. I have used both on pests up to and including groundhogs. As long as the power is there, with good shot placement either will be effective.

[Carl l.]

Airgunner, Look at the different air guns and make up your mind. Everybody doesn't like the same guns. I have the RWS model 34 with a Bushnell 4x scope on it and I like it a lot. I have killed coons,crows, squirrels, groundsquirrels and blackbirds with it and it is a good shooter. I use the superdome 8.3 grs. I am sure they are other air rifles out there that shoot just as good. Have fun making up your mind and good shooting. Carl L.

[Lawdog]

Airgunner,

Of the three choices you stated, Beeman GS1000, the Gamo hunter 220, or the Winchester 1000x, the worst of the lot is by far the Gamo 220.  It isn't half the rifle that the Gamo 890 is.  I have not heard any good remarks about the 220.  It is something you buy now and then replace in a year or so due to one or more failures.  My daughter  bought a Gamo 880(before they changed the number to 890) and I just replaced it with a Winchester 1000X because of it's loosing pressure.  Seals failed.  The Winchester is a great value at the under $80.00 price tag.  They are reliable, accurate but the only knock on them seems to be the heavy trigger pull.  At 5 lbs.(+/-) it is something you can get used to.  I know a few people and a couple of poster here that have the Winchester and they have been great shooters.  The Beeman is, of course, the top of the line of the ones you asked about but you are going to pay more for it.  As far as caliber goes the .22 is a better hunting caliber but I've taken many, MANY Jack Rabbits with the .177 cleanly.  All depends on your choice of pellet.  If you're wanting an all around caliber, target and hunting, then between the two I would pick the .177.  Lawdog

[Dand]

From my limited experience with a Beeman R7 and the reviews and correspondence I've had with some serious air gunners stay away from Gamos and the Winchester gun.  That's how I got my R7- not a hunting gun but a wonderful basement target gun.

[Lawdog]

Airgunner,

I though you might be interested in reading this.  The following is a revue of the Winchester 1000X done by Air Gun Depot.

Winchester 1000x Review

For the price, the Winchester 1000x is the absolute best air rifle available on the market today. For under $120, no other air rifle has as many features as does the Winchester 1000x. It is a barrel break air rifle that delivers 1000 FPS with a single cock.

One afternoon we decided to take the 1000x out for test drive. The first thing we noticed about this rifle is that it has excellent balance and quality craftsmanship. It felt great in our hands and the walnut stock and all metal construction gave this rifle some real heft. With the micro-adjustable rear sights and hooded front sights, we had no problem sighting in this air rifle. Within the first ten shots we were consistently hitting the bullseye at around 35 ft. The only draw back that we found was that this rifle has a hard trigger pull, but we got used to it after a few shots.

This airgun would be great for small game hunting or pest control. With the barrel break design you get 1000 FPS with a single cock so you won't be wasting your time pumping this airgun a million times before you're ready to shoot. We recommend this rifle for small game in the 3 to 3.5 lbs. range, such as small rabbits, squirrels and other pests.

Overall, we feel that the folks at Winchester/Daisy have out done themselves with the 1000x. No other airgun can come close to the features of the 1000x for the price. If you are looking for a great small game break barrel air rifle the 1000x is an excellent choice.

Velocity is as advertised, 1017 with pellets that weighted around 8 grains from the one I bought for my daughter.  Natchez.com has this air rifle listed for sale at under $80.00 at the moment.   Lawdog

[dave]

I have seen the AirGun Depot site. Of course they will give a tremendous review, they sell Daisy products. Here's more drivel from the site:
One of the oldest, most respected and revered firearms makers in American history is now the first to ever put its name on a brand of air rifle: Winchester®. NOT! Not a Winchester in any sense, just a name liscensed to Daisy to do with as they wish. It's made in Turkey by Hatsan. The real Winchester/Diana airguns haven't been sold since the early 70's. Smith & Wesson made some decent airguns some years ago, and Colts name has been used on airguns for some time now.
With handsome walnut stocks and solid metal construction, these four Quick Power, break-barrel air rifles are among the finest airguns Daisy® Outdoor Products has ever offered.NOT! Not even close. Remember the Daisy/FWB rifles, and the Walther barreled match guns, and the Milbro Daisy spring rifles? uh-huh.
It's not every day that two American legends like Daisy and Winchester team up. Again, Winchester has NOTHING to do with these guns, and most likely regret allowing Daisy to put their name on it. One more reason they are being discontinued.
Just remember- You get what you pay for. This is very true here. If you were to compare the Winchesters to just about any decent air rifle, it just wouldn't make the grade. Most of those who know about quality airguns and have owned or used them agree that they are one to stay away from.

[Jim n Iowa]

Lawdog put me on this air gun. I am very happy he did. Its a shooter, you have to clean a little protective coating off, but its a out of the box shooter. delievered from Natez shooting supply for around $88. This air rifle is very accurate, delievers at 1000fps a 177 pellot. I would not hesitate on a raccoon or like in my yard. It depends on you purpose, mine is to get rid of the animals feeding on my garden. Bugs bunny died at 3.5 trusck links the other day rolled like he was hit with a cannon. Three of my co-worker hooked up this week.
This a airgun that is very accurate for -$90 shipped. We can't compare to a Savage tact 223 that would require a scope a hit $800+.
To me its the 1000 but you have lots of experts hear.
Jim

[Chuck]

i have a gamo hunter 440. i like it, now i won't say it is as good as beeman or rws, but it is a nice overall rifle. i got it for $220.00 and that came with the scope. i have shot well over a 1000 rounds out of it and haven't had any problems out of her.

[Bad Bob]

AGE has 34 demos for $149 and I don't see how anything can beat that combination.  LOL.