Marauder 2026 Marauder, any thoughts

[bchannell]

I just read the 2026 Marauder teaser and it certainly checks all the boxes. Looks like a great gun to me. I did think the plenum looks too large, like somewhere in the 80-100cc range. Looks like tuning it down could be a bit problematic if the plenum is huge. But it will make big power with it, if that's what you're after. It's getting to the point, that if you want to stay subsonic and push heavy slugs, that manufacturers are going to have to make two different versions of rifles. Pellet rifles that push heavy pellets above say 1050fps are not really feasible and yet it would take that same power to push a heavy slug to say 1000fps. That kind of available power would cause the plenum to sip very little air in a moderate, say 850fps tune in a 177cal rifle, and would not be consistent, as refresh gets to be problematic. We see this same issue with something like the FX Wildcat/Maverick, with an 89cc plenum. Now, I fully understand that most buyers of the WC/Mav, aren't looking to shoot 8.4gr pellets at 850fps, but there are a lot of folks with many different power expectations buying the Marauder. I think, in a lot of cases, we're getting out of hand with power and moving into a different kind of pellet gun world.

 

[Pumacarl]

I think, in a lot of cases, we're getting out of hand with power and moving into a different kind of pellet gun world.

We have already completed the move. Some are just shooting slugs and the power is just barely there from all but the top tier. It is not a pellet gun world, as you say, at all, it's slugs. The pellet shooters for the most part aren't going anywhere either. The power is fine there. I entirely agree with you that they purposely should sell slug guns and pellet shooters as such. This new Mrod for instance could set an example if they released a slug version and a pellet version so people could buy the flavor they're after right up front instead of having to do the ridiculous aftermarket shopping spree that everyone has been doing for the past couple of years, or the even worse, sell a product that can do both just ok. yuck

 

[bchannell]

Yes, it's a great opportunity, and maybe down the road they'll go that route. A smaller plenum, less hammer spring, maybe a bit smaller port size, and you've got a pellet shooter.

No matter, I'm glad to see Crosman developing a new rifle, any new rifle, and we'll see how it goes.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

I just read the 2026 Marauder teaser and it certainly checks all the boxes. Looks like a great gun to me. I did think the plenum looks too large, like somewhere in the 80-100cc range. Looks like tuning it down could be a bit problematic if the plenum is huge. But it will make big power with it, if that's what you're after. It's getting to the point, that if you want to stay subsonic and push heavy slugs, that manufacturers are going to have to make two different versions of rifles. Pellet rifles that push heavy pellets above say 1050fps are not really feasible and yet it would take that same power to push a heavy slug to say 1000fps. That kind of available power would cause the plenum to sip very little air in a moderate, say 850fps tune in a 177cal rifle, and would not be consistent, as refresh gets to be problematic. We see this same issue with something like the FX Wildcat/Maverick, with an 89cc plenum. Now, I fully understand that most buyers of the WC/Mav, aren't looking to shoot 8.4gr pellets at 850fps, but there are a lot of folks with many different power expectations buying the Marauder. I think, in a lot of cases, we're getting out of hand with power and moving into a different kind of pellet gun world.

I have not played with a.177 or.22 yet. They will come soon. In.25 you can drop the regulator down to 1000psi and shoot 25g pellets at 830fps.

The hammer and spring are really lite so I am sure I will be able to set it up for sub 20 fpe in.177. I plan on running a Gen 3 for Field Target next spring.

Big plenum allows for big power but does not mean you cannot run the reg low and make pellet power.

John

 

[Dogowski]

I have not played with a.177 or.22 yet. They will come soon. In.25 you can drop the regulator down to 1000psi and shoot 25g pellets at 830fps.

The hammer and spring are really lite so I am sure I will be able to set it up for sub 20 fpe in.177. I plan on running a Gen 3 for Field Target next spring.

Big plenum allows for big power but does not mean you cannot run the reg low and make pellet power.

John

What's the starting sales price going to be? This is one we've been waiting for!

 

[Danman]

I just read the 2026 Marauder teaser and it certainly checks all the boxes. Looks like a great gun to me. I did think the plenum looks too large, like somewhere in the 80-100cc range. Looks like tuning it down could be a bit problematic if the plenum is huge. But it will make big power with it, if that's what you're after. It's getting to the point, that if you want to stay subsonic and push heavy slugs, that manufacturers are going to have to make two different versions of rifles. Pellet rifles that push heavy pellets above say 1050fps are not really feasible and yet it would take that same power to push a heavy slug to say 1000fps. That kind of available power would cause the plenum to sip very little air in a moderate, say 850fps tune in a 177cal rifle, and would not be consistent, as refresh gets to be problematic. We see this same issue with something like the FX Wildcat/Maverick, with an 89cc plenum. Now, I fully understand that most buyers of the WC/Mav, aren't looking to shoot 8.4gr pellets at 850fps, but there are a lot of folks with many different power expectations buying the Marauder. I think, in a lot of cases, we're getting out of hand with power and moving into a different kind of pellet gun world.

People often tune their airguns up chasing power, and now we may have to tune em down....I'll take the later myself in most cases
About plenum size...I used to think the same (small is better if your not after power and want consistency) but then along comes the Blackwolf with its biggest plenum ever (in a Daystate) and what do they offer? An add on plenum system "Volumax" that pushes the total volume beyond 100cc. Soren Drost has a beast of a .177 Blackwolf and got that plenum add on and is pushing "heavy" .177 slugs very fast, with a low reg pressure! There's no way he'd run that setup if it wasn't consistent. I assumed it would only make sense if you were after big power in say a .25 or .30cal. Turns out I was wrong, as it can and is being done well in some pcps. I must admit though pellet manufacturers need to make heavier .25 ammo, there are few options above 30gr! Gotta bring (pellet) speeds down and big ol heavy pellets is one good way to do it.

 

[Billm]

People often tune their airguns up chasing power, and now we may have to tune em down....I'll take the later myself in most cases
About plenum size...I used to think the same (small is better if your not after power and want consistency) but then along comes the Blackwolf with its biggest plenum ever (in a Daystate) and what do they offer? An add on plenum system "Volumax" that pushes the total volume beyond 100cc. Soren Drost has a beast of a .177 Blackwolf and got that plenum add on and is pushing "heavy" .177 slugs very fast, with a low reg pressure! There's no way he'd run that setup if it wasn't consistent. I assumed it would only make sense if you were after big power in say a .25 or .30cal. Turns out I was wrong, as it can and is being done well in some pcps. I must admit though pellet manufacturers need to make heavier .25 ammo, there are few options above 30gr! Gotta bring (pellet) speeds down and big ol heavy pellets is one good way to do it.

Yes, I too thought a larger volume plenum might be a detriment at lower power. Apparently not. I also would rather have a little too much power, rather than not enough. The one thing that I’ve noticed with the .30 Sonoran is that it can’t shoot 40% of the available slugs because of their heavier weight.

 

[bchannell]

My point is, what if Joe Blow wants to push "lighter" ie 8.44 gr pellets, at lower velocities, ie 850ish, with those huge plenums.
Now you may simply say, this is not the gun and I wouldn't dispute that at all.
All I'm saying is, the Mrod "used to be" the entry level pellet rifle, and as such, this huge power may be good or bad, depending on the buyer's desires. Maybe, I'm wrong and now the Mrod is going in a completely different direction, and that's fine, even great.
I think there is still a huge market for a mid power air rifle, but I also admit that making power is the name of the game right now.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not bashing the rifle...in fact I love the concept of it, just saying it is deviating from it's previous market and that may well be what is intended.

Maybe it's my Wildcat 22, with an 89cc plenum has a hard time shooting lighter pellets in the 14-16gr range with any kind of consistency.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

People often tune their airguns up chasing power, and now we may have to tune em down....I'll take the later myself in most cases
About plenum size...I used to think the same (small is better if your not after power and want consistency) but then along comes the Blackwolf with its biggest plenum ever (in a Daystate) and what do they offer? An add on plenum system "Volumax" that pushes the total volume beyond 100cc. Soren Drost has a beast of a .177 Blackwolf and got that plenum add on and is pushing "heavy" .177 slugs very fast, with a low reg pressure! There's no way he'd run that setup if it wasn't consistent. I assumed it would only make sense if you were after big power in say a .25 or .30cal. Turns out I was wrong, as it can and is being done well in some pcps. I must admit though pellet manufacturers need to make heavier .25 ammo, there are few options above 30gr! Gotta bring (pellet) speeds down and big ol heavy pellets is one good way to do it.

I am running my reg at 30 bar currently

 

[Northeastbeast]

I am excited for the future of benjamin. They now have access to Bsa barrels which IMO are some of the best ever made. Hoping to see some Bsa/Benjamin springer and or gas ram crossover builds.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

My point is, what if Joe Blow wants to push "lighter" ie 8.44 gr pellets, at lower velocities, ie 850ish, with those huge plenums.
Now you may simply say, this is not the gun and I wouldn't dispute that at all.
All I'm saying is, the Mrod "used to be" the entry level pellet rifle, and as such, this huge power may be good or bad, depending on the buyer's desires. Maybe, I'm wrong and now the Mrod is going in a completely different direction, and that's fine, even great.
I think there is still a huge market for a mid power air rifle, but I also admit that making power is the name of the game right now.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not bashing the rifle...in fact I love the concept of it, just saying it is deviating from it's previous market and that may well be what is intended.

Maybe it's my Wildcat 22, with an 89cc plenum has a hard time shooting lighter pellets in the 14-16gr range with any kind of consistency.

Bchannell- I appreciate your concern. Power is currently the name of the game in the industry. However, I wanted to keep the Marauder legacy alive with the added ability to make power if you want to. So I don't take your comments as bashing. We are not going in a different direction, but adding capability.

I finally got to do some.22 cal testing. It will run 14.3 Benjamin Match Grade pellets at 830 fps with no problem. It was really happy with the JSB 15,89s at 880. Then with a quick adjustment, it was shooting the JSB 25g pellets at 920fps with great results.

The regulator is happy at 1000psi. My hammer is silly lite. So I can just burp the valve at low pressure.

My goal is to have this platform do it all. So far, it can. It will be a while before I test the.177 but I will let you know how it goes.

I bet you can get your wildcat to settle down with 15g pellets if you back the hammer all the was off and go low on the reg. There are guys shooting them as sub 12fpe across the pond.

John

 

[bchannell]

Thanks a lot for the reply, I am more than happy to hear that news about the new Marauder. I'm a huge fan of Crosman, as I do consider it the 10/22 of airguns, a gun that can play many roles. I am also the owner a AR Revisions Challenger HFT, so I have an interest in where the Marauder goes.
I know that power is the driving force now and I also know the Marauder has to evolve or die, so the news that it is valved and hammered correctly to play well with lighter pellets is fantastic news. I applaud not only your work, but your willingness to discuss and educate all of us.

Also, at some point, I will take your suggestion about the Wildcat. I did try, albeit half heartedly, to shoot 16gr pellets with both low reg and hammer settings, but I do admit, it was certainly not exhaustive. I have found very light hammer strikes to be uncooperative with es, but it's definitely worth exploring. Many times what makes sense, isn't what is shown in reality, so again, it's worth looking into.

Thanks again for the replay, and I look forward to the new Marauder!

 

[mikesxpress]

My .22 Gen 2 MROD is extremely quiet with the shrouded barrel and extremely accurate out to 50 yards. I wouldn't want to give that up. It appears much to long as compared to the existing MRODs. The bottle thing is just plain ugly and makes the entire weapon look fragile. It's not suitable for hunting as it eliminates the bottom rest area on the gun. I'm sure the technology exists to make a tube style reservoir capable of 4500 PSI for the MROD? As I use my MROD primarily for pest control and small game I don't need anymore pellet capacity than the 10 shot magazines.

I do like the side lever cocking! If this new configuration is an attempt at a exclusive bench gun then it's probably ok but not for hunting. I would like to see a light weight AR style adjustable butt stock option. No need for a heavy synthetic or wood stock on PCP guns. Drop all the weight you can and keep the MROD suppression.

 

[Dogowski]

My .22 Gen 2 MROD is extremely quiet with the shrouded barrel and extremely accurate out to 50 yards. I wouldn't want to give that up. It appears much to long as compared to the existing MRODs. The bottle thing is just plain ugly and makes the entire weapon look fragile. It's not suitable for hunting as it eliminates the bottom rest area on the gun. I'm sure the technology exists to make a tube style reservoir capable of 4500 PSI for the MROD? As I use my MROD primarily for pest control and small game I don't need anymore pellet capacity than the 10 shot magazines.

I do like the side lever cocking! If this new configuration is an attempt at a exclusive bench gun then it's probably ok but not for hunting. I would like to see a light weight AR style adjustable butt stock option. No need for a heavy synthetic or wood stock on PCP guns. Drop all the weight you can and keep the MROD suppression.

Light or heavy the gun will be amazing! User preference so make both. I need lots of shots per fill so i would first go with the bottle version as i do more target work than hunting. I would still buy the lighter hunting rifle version though to shoot with as well. I think they should sell both!

 

[abstruse]

I just converted my Gen 2 Marauder to sidelever. The supplier of the parts was out of .25 cal, so I took his .177 cal, bored out the receiver for the larger barrel diameter, and widened the magazine opening so I can use the higher capacity (and otherwise better) aftermarket mags. It works just fine.

It just confirms how much I didn't like the bolt action.

 

[bchannell]

I like the look of bottle guns. It adds more air and shortens the rifle. To each his own, but I like em. I'd vote for a shorter version of the Mrod as an option, and keep the bottle. A 15-18" barrel, bottle and syn stock, now that'd be a good carry around rifle.

 

[TAPnAR]

Any chance we will see this before the end of the year for purchase?

Todd

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

Tood,
Unfortunately, no they will not be available this year.

John

 

[TAPnAR]

Tood,
Unfortunately, no they will not be available this year.

John

Thank you John, looks like it is going to be a really nice gun.

Todd

 

[Thebull]

Any chance we can buy the side lever breach for our mods and keep the traditional rifle look