hellequin

There are some good suggestions on this thread but, as one other person mentioned, your best bet is to actually handle a few and find out what suits you; all the advice of "buy X or Y or Z, it's the best" means nowt if the rifle doesn't feel right to you. Quality wise, you won't go far wrong with either Air Arms or HW springers. They will all do the job, although some people prefer the semi-tuned feel of the AA 'out of the box' compared to HW which do benefit from being tuned properly. My personal preference is HW, just because I like the feel and the balance really. I have owned several TX200's including 2 TX200HC and loads of HW's. As I said, they will all do the job in the field but I would say that if you are going to stay legal limit then .177 would be my choice calibre wise. There is little to choose between the underlevers (TX200/HW79K) so it will be personal choice there. AA no longer do a break barrel so unless you want to find a Pro Sport (which may still be over budget for a good un 2nd hand) then HW would be my 1st choice (over the likes of BSA etc., older Brum Webleys excepted). If you want something a bit lighter then the HW95K is a superb rifle; it'll respond well to tuning and is good in either calibre, though .177 will probably feel a bit 'lively' on recoil. My (personal again) choice though would be the HW80K. Heavy, yes but they will last a lifetime and really were built for the pest control job. The 80 was actually designed to run at higher power levels so does benefit from a good tune, though you need to be careful not to go over limit if you don't have it on FAC. Again, if staying legal limit then I'd go for .177 (for the flatter trajectory) and get it tuned properly from the likes of V-MACH, Dave Hall or maybe Sandwell Feildsports, it's a bit of extra money and although not essential it is well worth it in my opinion. I've had several 80's but my current one is .22 and on my FAC running at 20fpe. It was tuned by Dave Hall and gives superb consistency (3fps over a 30 shot chrono string) and accuracy with a good wallop at the end. The extra power means I have almost a .177 trajectory over sensible airgun ranges but with extra clout. There are some good rifles to be had and plently of top quality tuned rifles come up 2nd hand within your budget, so don't discount that option rather than just buying brand new. As said though, the best advice of all is for you to go and handle a few and see which feels best to you- it might not be the one you had at the top of your shortlist! ATB Paul

Nothing wrong with making a profit at all, so longer as buyer and seller are happy with the deal. That said, I sold my HW100K for less than I bought it and prior to the massive price rise. Personally I'm not sure I could've adverstised it to make a profit anyway; I can understand the price of classic guns going up, or making a bit if you'd originally bought it at an absolute bargain price but not really with 'current' rifles. Maybe I'm just too 'honest' for my own good... Like I said though, it all comes down to the choice of buyers and sellers.

Agree 100%! All I'd add is that they benefit from a good tune, whether legal limit or FAC. I won't sell mine so long as there's a hole in my *****... B)

Good post and I agree completely. Obviously there are those who will try to take the pee with second hand prices but frankly, if you don't like it then you don't have to buy it; I reckon that a sellers price is their business and stupidly high prices generally result in little interest/no sale anyway. I think one of the problems (certainly where air rifles are concerned) are the fairly recent price hikes. For example, a couple of years ago I bought a brand new HW100K for around £550. They are now sold for around £760 when new but if looked after there would be little way of telling if I'd bought mine at the higher or lower 'new' price. Obviously it'd be bloody cheeky of me to advertise it at £550 now but I don't doubt that some folk are doing it, i.e. selling older guns at newer prices. As always it's buyer beware. We are all (supposedly) adults capable of rational decision making so do a bit of research and don't get bitten. It's not rocket science, is it?

No problem mate. Obviously I did forget one bit where the Mk3 is different to most other pcps; battery charging!

I'm on my third Mk3 (because I like them, not because they broke ) but to be honest they are no different to most other pcps for maintenance. All I do it keep the exterior and especially the charging connectors free from dust and muck and pull the barrel through with a patch or two once in a while. They certainly don't need a pull through after every outing but I find it's best to do it if switching between pellet brands, then shoot around 20+ to 'lead' the barrel prior to zeroing or testing. Common sense really, if it gets wet let it dry & clean it but otherwise they don't need much in the way of daily maintenance. As for servicing, send it to Daystate would be my advice. The factory give good service and will be able to check from your serial number when it was last done, date of manufacture and any repairs etc. In fact you can check some of that yourself if you go on their website and type in the serial number. HTH Paul

Hello Rob, A 232bar charging kit is fine, it's what I use (7litre bottle) I fill to 200bar and I've had no problems. As for gun only price, do you mean just without the scope, mounts and bag? I don't want to split the kit completely but will sell the gun with the silencer and mags & other bits for £500, plus courier fee from the RFD and whatever the RFD your end charges (mine charges a tenner) for handling/paperwork. Let me know if you're interested. ATB Paul

No probs mate, I want the gun to sell first if poss though so will let it run for a few days at least. ATB Paul

I have decided to sell my FAC Daystate Mk3 Sport as for the time being the HMR and 12fpe air gun are getting all the use and I can't justify having a gun of this value sitting idle. Kit comprises the following; Daystate Mk3 Sport .22 calibre running at 30fpe. 3x 10 shot magazines. 1x Single shot tray. Daystate Airstream III silencer. Key, Charger, Muzzle end cap & printed instructions I will include a Doskosport type hard gun case or Deben Realtree camo backpack case in the sale. The gun is in superb condition with a very nice RH walnut sporter stock which is fitted with QD studs. There are a few marks to the underside of the stock but nothing serious- no scratches and this is a working gun after all. As said, it is running at 30fpe and likes either JSB Exact or AA Field in 5.52. Zeroed at 40yds it has a lovely flat trajectory and hits hard. When fitted with the Airstream it is no louder than a 12fpe gun. Shot per charge wise, the gun will easily do 40+ to 50 good shots. Please be aware to buy this kit you will need a slot on ticket for both .22 air & the moderator. I would prefer a face to face deal however shipping through RFD can be arranged at buyers cost. Price is £500 for the above kit. Add up the new prices for the kit listed- the buyer will be saving a shed load! This is also advertised on another forum so may be withdrawn if sold there. *Edit*- Scope now withdawn from sale

What he said. I had one in .177 and it was a cracking little gun, looks lovely, nice and light and accurate enough for me up to 30-35yds. I did notice the recoil a bit more than with heavier guns and certainly more than my tuned 95k (that's .22 tho) though it wasn't something that'd put me off buying one. I used H&N FTT which it seemed to like and put out 11.4ftlb straight from the box, which is fine for a legal limit gun.

I go there a bit but not for a while, been offline due to house move! I was Royal Armoured Corps 1989-2003. Formation recce regiment first with 13th/18th Royal Hussars then Light Dragoons after the amalgamations in 1992. Most of my old mates are currently in Afghanistan and I bloody well wish I was with them!

Lol, well the missus (if she is anything like mine) would have replied with "you have one gun, you don't need another. Although we could go clothes shopping and on a holiday with the cash instead. Thats something we really need." Do I nuts!! A holiday lasts a week, a Lanber will last probably longer than me! Dan Mine too mate! I'm down to just the Mk3 (had to flog the 97k and 80k- both .177) which is legal limit in .22, though I have no problem with that as I've always used that calibre anyway. I have tried .177 and agree with others that at sub 12ftlb it's a cracking calibre but I still prefer its big brother, just personal preference I guess! Anyway the Mk3 will be going back to Daystate in the near future to be FAC'd to 30ftlb, unless I can persuade her to let me have an FAC'd Rapid MkII in .20! Paul

Hi Drew I've never used one of the pumps so can't offer any advice there. Of the three rifles you mention I'd go for the AA S410 everytime. I have to say I've not used either of the other two but HAVE heard of quite a few others who were less than impressed. The 410 is obviously extremely popular. You'll get a decent shot count, good consistency for what is, after all, an unregulated rifle, excellent accuracy and good build quality. Another few to consider would be the AA S200, the BSA Scorpion and the Webley Raider, maybe a 2nd hand RWS Excalibre too (similar to the Raider I think). I've had the S200 and an Excalibre and can vouch for both. The best advice I can give though is to join a club and see if you can try a few, what suits one may not suit you. Failing that go to a good gun shop where you can try before you buy. Just DON'T whatever you do, buy mail order without trying the gun first! ATB Paul

What's it like being a Male Stripper then? :lol: :o Welcome to the watch mate....enjoy your stay Oh very funny! I can see I came to the right place... Thanks for the welcomes chaps ATB Paul

No no no no NO! Don't do it, just don't! If you want a spring gun on a bit of a budget then, IMHO, save a bit more and go for- 2nd hand- AA TX200 or HW97k/95k BSA Lightning XL is another option and not too expensive even when new. All are good guns built to work properly and last. ATB Paul