Blackstone Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 A friend of mine wanted me to recommend a cheap air rifle that they can use to shoot pigeons that reside on their land. Please don't tell me about laws, and safe gun handling, marksmanship...I know all that and can teach them. I would just like an affordable air rifle that is accurate enough in the hands of someone trained to do the job. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 first to be irritating! how are you defining cheap?! are we talking sub 200? sub 500? or anything below a daystate! A springer is probably the best thing to start with, BSA lightening XL or obviously any variant the HW range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 lightening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Right how about a £200 gun for £100? No joke, serious! First look at the Webley Stingray mark 2, note the German barrel, note the anti bear trap mechanism, note the Swedish made Power Lok spring, note the 2 stage trigger, note the nice Turkish Walnut stock. Got enough notes? Note the price. Now look at the Hatsan 55S if your friend wants a .177 or a 60S if he wants a .22! Note the German barrel, note the anti bear trap mechanism, note the Swedish made Power Lok spring, note the 2 stage trigger, note the nice Turkish Walnut stock. Got enough notes? Note the price. If you shop around you can pick up a 55 or 60 for under the £100! Walther barreled, accurate rifles as well, nice safety on the Hatsan (the one on the Webley is ****, I know I have owned both). They are both made in Turkey by Hatsan! Buy a Hatsan, they are full power (the 60S makes 11.3 ft lb with a 14.3 grain pellet), accurate and affordable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I know a seller of these less than an hour from you, he sells them for under the £100 and is a fully apprenticed gunsmith too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Not wanting to spoil it but I bought a brand new BSA lightening tactical xl and to be honest it was the worst gun I have ever used it was so "clunky" that it was not fun to use ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) Not wanting to spoil it but I bought a brand new BSA lightening tactical xl and to be honest it was the worst gun I have ever used it was so "clunky" that it was not fun to use ? You beat me to it , i would rather stick pins in my eyes than buy a lightning , BSA springers have gone down the pan , horrible triggers ,rough operation , barely existent accuracy and the lightning is a horrid jumpy thing . As mole says if you want really cheap you will not beat the hatsan , if they can go to £200 get a second hand HW95 , 80, 97 or 77. Edited January 17, 2013 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackstone Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely look into the Hatsan. For cheap, I'd prefer anything sub-£200, and obviously a springer to keep costs down even further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 hw99s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I had a lightning xl tactical .22, absolutely terrible to shoot, hated it!! Shot some lovely old BSA Springers though! Go for a HW, don't hear too many bad words about them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 The HW99 is prone to scoring the cylinder! The HW springer range recently have been noted for poor lubrication and very badly finished springs, not to mention running hot too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 true sadly, my brandnew hw95 was a real mess. the springs are sharp as razors. i have shot the old type lightning and wasnt impressed but millions have bought and love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overandunder2012 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 cometa or smk maybe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmytree Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 lightening Great! Very informative post. Who makes the "lightening?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Great! Very informative post. Who makes the "lightening?" Bodyshop! http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/eyes/lightening-touch.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 BSA make the lightening ... There was one out years ago still called lightening and if I remember rightly they re released it and the tactical xl but iirc they are made in different factory's .. Personally I would look out for a early lightening , Parker hale , weirach( ?) Just my opinion mind ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I'm guessing he means the BSA Lightening, or an actual lightening bolt, which would be hard to organise... http://www.bsaguns.co.uk/sgun_XL_tactical.php there is also a Gas Ram version, but i don't know much about that one! The Lightening is a bit of a marmite gun. It will have its detractors, but it has just as many who will back it to the hilt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmytree Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I don't think BSA ever made a gun called the "Lightening" They did make one called the "Lightning" which is very different to something which could be described as a change of colour tone possibly as a result of chemical intervention by bleach or acid. Oh well, the year on year improvements in our education system never fail to amaze me. Another 50 years and we'll have an alphabet that allows teenagers to write in grunts and shrugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Any need for that !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretagentmole Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) I'm guessing he means the BSA Lightening, or an actual lightening bolt, which would be hard to organise... http://www.bsaguns.c...XL_tactical.php there is also a Gas Ram version, but i don't know much about that one! The Lightening is a bit of a marmite gun. It will have its detractors, but it has just as many who will back it to the hilt! I'm guessing he means the BSA Lightening, or an actual lightening bolt, which would be hard to organise... http://www.bsaguns.c...XL_tactical.php there is also a Gas Ram version, but i don't know much about that one! The Lightening is a bit of a marmite gun. It will have its detractors, but it has just as many who will back it to the hilt! BSA do NOT make a rifle called a lightening, they make one called the Lightning! No E numbers! Copied from Chris's link! Total practicality for hunters comes courtesy of the XL Tactical, the sensational new addition to the BSA family. All the power and performance of the Lightning XL in a super-durable, all-weather, synthetic stock designed by Jon Sykes of renowned airgun development specialists Hydro Graphics. The XL Tactical’s stock is computer-designed to provide everything sporting shooters need, and nothing they don’t. The specially-developed, hi-impact polymer compound used to form the stock is always warm to the touch, provides secure grip and remains warp-free in all climate conditions. The ultra-practical Tactical – a sporter for all seasons! See? Lightning not Lightening! Edited January 17, 2013 by secretagentmole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Any way don't get one they are **** !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I'm guessing he means the BSA Lightening, or an actual lightening bolt, which would be hard to organise... http://www.bsaguns.c...XL_tactical.php there is also a Gas Ram version, but i don't know much about that one! The Lightening is a bit of a marmite gun. It will have its detractors, but it has just as many who will back it to the hilt! And those that will back it to the hilt are those that have never shot a decent springer !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 SMK 20, a copy of the HW95 and at a fraction of the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmytree Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 And those that will back it to the hilt are those that have never shot a decent springer !!! And couldn't spell it even if they're looking at the box it came in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 And those that will back it to the hilt are those that have never shot a decent springer !!! I've shot a decent springer, but never shot a lightning! People recommend it enough though. I used to have a HW95K a few years back, which was a cracking gun. BSA do NOT make a rifle called a lightening, they make one called the Lightning! No E numbers! Copied from Chris's link! Total practicality for hunters comes courtesy of the XL Tactical, the sensational new addition to the BSA family. All the power and performance of the Lightning XL in a super-durable, all-weather, synthetic stock designed by Jon Sykes of renowned airgun development specialists Hydro Graphics. The XL Tactical’s stock is computer-designed to provide everything sporting shooters need, and nothing they don’t. The specially-developed, hi-impact polymer compound used to form the stock is always warm to the touch, provides secure grip and remains warp-free in all climate conditions. The ultra-practical Tactical – a sporter for all seasons! See? Lightning not Lightening! Just looked lightEning up in the dictionary. That would be a WEIRD air rifle name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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