Deke

The issue of hand pump vs cylinder has been debated thoroughly over the past few years and if this is the decision to be made some of those posts should be worth revisiting. If the question is which hand pump, I can speak from 6 years' experience of using a Hill Mk2. It does the job well and should last indefinitely if well looked after. I have replaced the seals and re-lubed it twice in those 6 years and I'd say it performs as well as when I bought it. BTW the Mk2 was replaced by the Mk3 which is easier to service and, I'm told requires a bit less pumping effort.

What's the problem?

It's a very good pcp with a lot going for it. I run mine at 32 fpe with Baracuda 21.1gn pellets. Marauders are designed to be 'tuned' by their owners: they have an adjustable transfer port and you can adjust hammer spring tension and hammer stroke. With settings for these optimised for your rifle it's possible to get at least 30 consistent shots at 30 fpe with an ES of approximately 20 fps. If tuning your rifle isn't for you it's possible to fit a regulator and get 30+ very consistent shots (ES approx 12fps). Regulators for the Marauder can be ordered from Altaros and Huma-Air (Google for their web sites). Other plus points are: very good trigger (once the 'lawyer spring is removed);price - you get a lot of gun for your money; spares are cheap and readily available; customer service from Crossman is reportedly good. There are loads of aftermarket mods available from talented amateur air-gunsmiths, mainly in the USA, and some professionals. If you are considering putting a Marauder on your shortlist it would be worthwhile checking out the Marauder Airrifle Forum http://www.marauderairrifle.com/forum/ You will find loads of useful information there.

Wanted, BSA S10 .22, Mk2 or Mk3, long rifle, not Carbine, RH stock. Must be in excellent condition.

I use a Hill Mk2 pump and have done for the past 6 years. I live in a rural area and to refill a dive bottle would entail a journey of 150km each way. Petrol heap expensive, fresh air free! Recently I overhauled the pump, replacing all seals - not as difficult as I anticipated. The Hill Mk2 is built like a tank and I shall probably wear out before it does. While waiting for the seal kit to arrive I stripped both my pcps to examine the air cylinders and I was pleased to see there was no trace of any rust. I like the pump, but my choice was dictated by economics. If I lived next door to a dive centre I would get a dive bottle and use my pump for top-ups. Both solutions work well - good luck with what you choose.

I have a Career 707 Carbine and a Sumatra Carbine (different calibres) and I run both at around 30fpe. The Careers are built like a tank and all you should ever need to change is an o ring or two. Should any other spares be needed for a Career (unlikely if it has been looked after) sourcing them might be difficult. Although te build quality of the Sumatra is not in the same league as a Mk2 Career it is still an excellent gun. I've had mine for six years without any problem arising. Both of my guns will group in under 20mm at 50m which I think is not too shabby.

Why does Sean Penn get media coverage? It's because he's an actor - a good one in my opinion. What has that to do with politics - absolutely **** all. We might as well ask John Doe (aka Joe Blogs) what he thinks about the Yanks invading Grenada. Don't give up the day job Sean... :look:

Very good gun I'm sure, but still looking. A standard rifle would be fine as an alternative to the Carbine or BBK.

I agree with all the positive comments already made about the 99S; mine is a 50S which is exactly the same gun. I fitted a Maccari tune kit and had the trigger sears stoned and polished. I like this trigger now more than any trigger on my other air guns including my 3 pcps. Buy one, learn to shoot it well and don't sell it! Deke

I use a Hills Mk2 pump and have done for the past 3 years. Where I live (in SA for most of the year) the nearest dive shop where I could refill a cylinder is 150km so the cost of keeping a cylinder topped up with air would be high. If you are near to a dive shop it alters the economics, particularly if you can pick up a decent cylinder and charging gear second hand. Using a pump correctly is all about technique. I'm 60+, sturdy but not fit and my gun has a 250cc cylinder which I pump up to 200 bar. Check out the Pyramid Air website (Google search) which may still have a video to view demonstrating correct hand pump technique. The secret is to use your upper body muscles and weight and not to try to use tour biceps, like press ups in reverse. Push down on the pump handles until your arms are straight. Then brace your arms and wrists keeping them locked straight downwards. Let the pump handle press against your solar plexus and then push down with the force of your upper body. It's easier to do it than describe it. There are usually a few pumps coming up for sale on the 2ndhand market so it should be possible to get a good one fairly cheaply. Be careful not to buy one that has been used a great deal though; stripping the pump and replacing the seals is quite complicated. Hope this helps. Deke

I have had a fair bit of experience tuning certain Gamo's and the BSA Meteor Mks 6 & 7 and I'll try to help. I don't recognize the Hornet model though. Is it a Gamo? It's not in the current line-up of BSA spring guns. So what is it? Deke

Sorry, should have said. Non FAC.

I am looking for a BSA Super Ten in .177 calibre, preferably a Mk3 Carbine or BBK with a walnut stock. I want one that has been well looked after, preferably blueprinted by John Bowkett. But a bog standard S10 in great condition will be considered. Please PM with details if you have one for sale. Cheers, Deke

I have an HW50S in South Africa (same as the HW99S) and personally I wouldn't bother adding a silencer. I find it's quiet enough without one. My neighbours haven't complained and loads of doves and other small game never heard the shot that dispatched them. Cheers, Deke

I live for most of the year in South Africa and Gamo air guns are popular here and reasonably priced. I have owned a Hunter 440 and a Whisper X, both .177 calibre and my take is that you get a very decent air rifle for the money. Both of mine are capable of putting 10 shots in better than 19mm at 30 yards. The action of the Shadow 1000 is identical to the Hunter and Whisper series. My 'X' has had over 10000 pellets through it and 3 mainsprings and piston seals but it shoots spot on. To transform whats a pretty good air gun into something very good my advice is to replace the Mainspring when it breaks with a Maccari E3650 Ultra spring and fit a small Apex or Tesla seal also from Maccari. But probably the best improvement you can make to the way the stock gun shoots is to have a tight-fitting rear spring guide made up and fit a custom trigger blade mod. Because they are light the Gamos are great for shooting off-hand with the traditional "hunter" grip. The Shadow 1000 should come with the older style metal trigger blade and trigger block (later ones have a plastic trigger blade). In the UK I think Woodfield Gun Care Products make and sell a tune kit and custom trigger blade mod for Gamos I've heard good reports of these. My advice is get the Gamo Shadow and tune it - you will not be disappointed. Good luck, Deke