2026 Benjamin Marauder First Sighting

Today was registration day for the 2025 Pyramyd AIR Cup. And what should we see but a first sighting of the new 2026 Benjamin Marauder!

Our photograph above shows the designer John Solpietro (left), along with Shawn Pragel, who runs the Crosman/Benjamin PCP assembly operation. If you want to see two key players in this new product, here they are…

Now it’s VERY important to say that what we are seeing here is a PROTOTYPE of the 2026 Benjamin Marauder. There almost-certainly will be differences between the gun – actually there are two samples here – and the final production version.

Basic details include availability in three calibers – .177, .22 and .25 cal. There’s a side-lever action, as you can see, combined with a substantial plenum.

The hammer spring tension is adjustable (see the aperture in the rear of the stock, above). Plus, there’s an externally-adjustable regulator. There’s a synthetic hammer inside there…

John and Shawn – below – were trying-out the new 2026 Benjamin Marauder on the 100-Yard range at the 2025 Pyramyd AIR Cup.

John explained to me that “The gun really shoots accurately. Unfortunately I’m not quite so accurate as it is.” Well, actually, that’s a family-friendly translation of the description he gave himself as a shooter! Spoiler alert, John’s actually a very good shot – just a little modest about his capabilities…

The “secret prototype” I saw at the Pyramyd Cup was not engraved with any serial number or name. The only indication was to be seen in the molding of the synthetic stock, as we can see above.

In addition, the new 2026 Benjamin Marauder has a larger magazine than with the original Marauder. It’s 12-rounds in .25 caliber, as we can see below.

There’s a Picatinny rail atop the receiver for scope mounting, as we can see below. I was also impressed with the excellent pressure gauges. These are clearly-marked and have a wide “sweep” for the pointer. Both these things will help with user usability.

So what about availability? My understanding is that we should see the new 2026 Benjamin Marauder in our hands by mid-2026.

As for the price, we’ll have to see. In my experience, product pricing is about the final thing to be decided with any new product launch. But it’s clear that Benjamin plans to make it competitive with both the existing Marauder and other guns in the market.

Check-out Hard Air Magazine for more information as it becomes available…


The post 2026 Benjamin Marauder First Sighting appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Pumacarl]

reviewing rifles is a fun and challenging experience. you should absolutely get involved - more hobbyist doing reviews would be very helpful to the hobby.

I had started taking everyone along as I work on my project guns a while ago. Really long term reviews in a way, but they don't end up being what I got either. They end up pretty awesome and these forums are a great way not just to share information with others but also a searchable history of my notes that I won't lose, handy for everybody. Everybody that advises people not to adjust their adjustable guns, and to stay ignorant of the tuning process once your tuner has set up your gun, are really killing all the fun that is this hobby to me. I say exactly the opposite, get out from under the thumb of having to go to someone else to enjoy your hobby. So my dynamic reviews (and mods) are not for everybody. I am going to keep doing what I'm doing until I can't, and sharing the info for anyone that cares to read it. There used to be a lot more project threads on the forums, and not just buying threads. I liked all the DIY stuff and I'd like to see it come back more, 3d printers are certainly helping.

 

[Pumacarl]

I appreciate all of the comments.

We got lots and lots of .30 comments. I am going to send this to management so they can see what you all are saying.

The moderator and shroud are not bonded. Plus, if you remove them you will find a threaded barrel. That way you can remove the shroud and run your favorite moderator.

John

THANK YOU! I would bet, from reading your posts in the past that you had some input on that decision. Kudos!

I was worried that since Gamo did such a good job of bonding the moderator on the Urban that they were going to do it to this gun too. Somebody on another forum was saying that it was bonded, and I was wondering where he heard that and how did he know, and obviously, thankfully, he didn't.

 

[Billm]

I appreciate all of the comments.

We got lots and lots of .30 comments. I am going to send this to management so they can see what you all are saying.

The moderator and shroud are not bonded. Plus, if you remove them you will find a threaded barrel. That way you can remove the shroud and run your favorite moderator.

John

I would consider purchasing one, just to keep people like you employed. I am really impressed seeing an engineer/designer such as yourself interacting with and contributing to the airgun community. You present a great example of how things should be done.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

I am a shooter and all around airgun guy. I am just blessed to get to do it for a living.

I put features into my designs based on customer feedback. That's why we love to go to events like Pyramid. We can speak with a few hundred like minded people. Forums give me the similar opportunity.

Both Shawn and I broke 200 for the first time with the MRG3s. We built them the week before the event got them sighted in and left. We had very little practice and less than a tin of pellets through them. We are not bench shooters so for us it was an achievement.

John

 

[Pumacarl]

Really great job! Something to remember and never forget too. Congratulations!

 

[Billm]

I am a shooter and all around airgun guy. I am just blessed to get to do it for a living.

I put features into my designs based on customer feedback. That's why we love to go to events like Pyramid. We can speak with a few hundred like minded people. Forums give me the similar opportunity.

Both Shawn and I broke 200 for the first time with the MRG3s. We built them the week before the event got them sighted in and left. We had very little practice and less than a tin of pellets through them. We are not bench shooters so for us it was an achievement.

John

As PumaCarl said, great job.

 

[Dogowski]

I appreciate all of the comments.

We got lots and lots of .30 comments. I am going to send this to management so they can see what you all are saying.

The moderator and shroud are not bonded. Plus, if you remove them you will find a threaded barrel. That way you can remove the shroud and run your favorite moderator.

John

Threaded barrel is nice! Starting price John?

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

The goal is sub $800.

John

 

[Stubbers]

Relying on low pressure to make the valve easy to open forces one to run a longer 24" barrel which makes any airgun more unwieldy. At 1000 psi a .325" poppet (not sure what they use, just random ideal diameter selected) has around 83 lbs of force holding it shut opposed to 165 lbs at 2000 psi assuming traditional non-balanced valve...sure that's one trick to get around reducing hammer strike to operate the valve....however that low of pressure is extremely limiting for heavier weighted ammo, as well as it has many other disadvantages, the only advantage is easier opening valve. Shooting down to 1000 psi should not be a selling point, its silly. That is only 39 ft/lbs of energy in 25 cal...cmon now, tis a step backwards not forwards. We don't need 24" of barrel for 39 ft/lbs of energy in 2025. The huben gk1 does more with a 9" barrel lol. Superior valve tech goes a lot further than low pressure valves.

Whats better you ask? A pilot valve that has 25 lbs of pressure holding it shut at 2000 psi and only 37 lbs at 3000 psi....A 2000-3000 psi air gun can run a much shorter barrel, or the same 24" barrel and send really heavy ammo with an even lighter hammer and even less hammer strike, as well with shorter dwell times, in both valve and hammer. At 2500 psi, you could launch 48 grains at 950+ fps. However I bet with this arrangement, that begins to feel like a chore with how much hammer spring you need to run. While they're quick to advertise how light the hammer is at 1000 psi, you don't hear a peep about it regarding shooting slugs...

So while there are some changes in design, I cannot personally call them improvements, because one must sacrifice overall length of the gun to achieve these stats their pulling. Skout already ventured this route and ultimately low pressure airguns that put out a lot of power are by far and large not superior to a higher pressure gun burping much shorter/faster bursts of equal energy out of the valve. Best to not revisit the low pressure long barrel airgun, yet here we are...making it a selling point. Not my cup of tea.

It is truly my opinion that low pressure is the incorrect direction for airguns, and high pressure with better valve technology is the correct direction. I am quite disappointed in the engineering team to go this route. You can't really setup a gun to run well at both 1000 psi and 2500 psi without major alterations, and seeing it setup for 1000 currently is...a choice.

Sidelevers aren't necessary, just another band-aid for poor valve tech to reduce cocking force required. When you run .4" hammer throw with 3-4 lbs of spring, it really takes no effort to cock, but a .6" hammer throw with 9-10 lbs of spring, sure it benefits from sidelevers.

Externally adjustable regulator. Awesome, nearly every regulated airgun now boasts this feature, almost becoming industry standard. Probably the one feature worth getting excited for in my book.

Just my long winded 2c...while its not full of fluff, it certainly isn't all piss an vinegar, just my hard truth from where I stand in airgun knowledge. This update to the marauder doesn't offer anything new to the industry, just basically playing catch up, and while some ground has been gained, its still far, far behind where it needs to be to be revolutionary. They simply adopted a few ideas all the other companies have already done...which to me, only contributes to over-saturation of mid-range airguns all boasting the same features.

Are calibers/probes easily swappable?

Did they integrate SSG technology?

Does the gun weigh under 8 lbs bare?

How many different sized o-rings?

Regulators adjustment range?

Adjustable tp port via power wheel or the like?

 

[hameditor]

Relying on low pressure to make the valve easy to open forces one to run a longer 24" barrel which makes any airgun more unwieldy. At 1000 psi a .325" poppet (not sure what they use, just random ideal diameter selected) has around 83 lbs of force holding it shut opposed to 165 lbs at 2000 psi assuming traditional non-balanced valve...sure that's one trick to get around reducing hammer strike to operate the valve....however that low of pressure is extremely limiting for heavier weighted ammo, as well as it has many other disadvantages, the only advantage is easier opening valve. Shooting down to 1000 psi should not be a selling point, its silly. That is only 39 ft/lbs of energy in 25 cal...cmon now, tis a step backwards not forwards. We don't need 24" of barrel for 39 ft/lbs of energy in 2025. The huben gk1 does more with a 9" barrel lol. Superior valve tech goes a lot further than low pressure valves.

Whats better you ask? A pilot valve that has 25 lbs of pressure holding it shut at 2000 psi and only 37 lbs at 3000 psi....A 2000-3000 psi air gun can run a much shorter barrel, or the same 24" barrel and send really heavy ammo with an even lighter hammer and even less hammer strike, as well with shorter dwell times, in both valve and hammer. At 2500 psi, you could launch 48 grains at 950+ fps. However I bet with this arrangement, that begins to feel like a chore with how much hammer spring you need to run. While they're quick to advertise how light the hammer is at 1000 psi, you don't hear a peep about it regarding shooting slugs...

So while there are some changes in design, I cannot personally call them improvements, because one must sacrifice overall length of the gun to achieve these stats their pulling. Skout already ventured this route and ultimately low pressure airguns that put out a lot of power are by far and large not superior to a higher pressure gun burping much shorter/faster bursts of equal energy out of the valve. Best to not revisit the low pressure long barrel airgun, yet here we are...making it a selling point. Not my cup of tea.

It is truly my opinion that low pressure is the incorrect direction for airguns, and high pressure with better valve technology is the correct direction. I am quite disappointed in the engineering team to go this route. You can't really setup a gun to run well at both 1000 psi and 2500 psi without major alterations, and seeing it setup for 1000 currently is...a choice.

Sidelevers aren't necessary, just another band-aid for poor valve tech to reduce cocking force required. When you run .4" hammer throw with 3-4 lbs of spring, it really takes no effort to cock, but a .6" hammer throw with 9-10 lbs of spring, sure it benefits from sidelevers.

Externally adjustable regulator. Awesome, nearly every regulated airgun now boasts this feature, almost becoming industry standard. Probably the one feature worth getting excited for in my book.

Just my long winded 2c...while its not full of fluff, it certainly isn't all piss an vinegar, just my hard truth from where I stand in airgun knowledge. This update to the marauder doesn't offer anything new to the industry, just basically playing catch up, and while some ground has been gained, its still far, far behind where it needs to be to be revolutionary. They simply adopted a few ideas all the other companies have already done...which to me, only contributes to over-saturation of mid-range airguns all boasting the same features.

Are calibers/probes easily swappable?

Did they integrate SSG technology?

Does the gun weigh under 8 lbs bare?

How many different sized o-rings?

Regulators adjustment range?

Adjustable tp port via power wheel or the like?

@Stubbers Thanks for an interesting and well-argued post with a value of much more than 2 Cents!!! You raise some very good points, not just for the Marauder, but for modern PCP design in general, even if I don't necessarily agree with all of them. That's what's great about logical, reasoned argument and discussion!

I hope that @BenjeneerJohn will be able to respond in due course...

 

[Pumacarl]

Relying on low pressure to make the valve easy to open forces one to run a longer 24" barrel which makes any airgun more unwieldy. At 1000 psi a .325" poppet (not sure what they use, just random ideal diameter selected) has around 83 lbs of force holding it shut opposed to 165 lbs at 2000 psi assuming traditional non-balanced valve...sure that's one trick to get around reducing hammer strike to operate the valve....however that low of pressure is extremely limiting for heavier weighted ammo, as well as it has many other disadvantages, the only advantage is easier opening valve. Shooting down to 1000 psi should not be a selling point, its silly. That is only 39 ft/lbs of energy in 25 cal...cmon now, tis a step backwards not forwards. We don't need 24" of barrel for 39 ft/lbs of energy in 2025. The huben gk1 does more with a 9" barrel lol. Superior valve tech goes a lot further than low pressure valves.

Whats better you ask? A pilot valve that has 25 lbs of pressure holding it shut at 2000 psi and only 37 lbs at 3000 psi....A 2000-3000 psi air gun can run a much shorter barrel, or the same 24" barrel and send really heavy ammo with an even lighter hammer and even less hammer strike, as well with shorter dwell times, in both valve and hammer. At 2500 psi, you could launch 48 grains at 950+ fps. However I bet with this arrangement, that begins to feel like a chore with how much hammer spring you need to run. While they're quick to advertise how light the hammer is at 1000 psi, you don't hear a peep about it regarding shooting slugs...

So while there are some changes in design, I cannot personally call them improvements, because one must sacrifice overall length of the gun to achieve these stats their pulling. Skout already ventured this route and ultimately low pressure airguns that put out a lot of power are by far and large not superior to a higher pressure gun burping much shorter/faster bursts of equal energy out of the valve. Best to not revisit the low pressure long barrel airgun, yet here we are...making it a selling point. Not my cup of tea.

It is truly my opinion that low pressure is the incorrect direction for airguns, and high pressure with better valve technology is the correct direction. I am quite disappointed in the engineering team to go this route. You can't really setup a gun to run well at both 1000 psi and 2500 psi without major alterations, and seeing it setup for 1000 currently is...a choice.

Sidelevers aren't necessary, just another band-aid for poor valve tech to reduce cocking force required. When you run .4" hammer throw with 3-4 lbs of spring, it really takes no effort to cock, but a .6" hammer throw with 9-10 lbs of spring, sure it benefits from sidelevers.

Externally adjustable regulator. Awesome, nearly every regulated airgun now boasts this feature, almost becoming industry standard. Probably the one feature worth getting excited for in my book.

Just my long winded 2c...while its not full of fluff, it certainly isn't all piss an vinegar, just my hard truth from where I stand in airgun knowledge. This update to the marauder doesn't offer anything new to the industry, just basically playing catch up, and while some ground has been gained, its still far, far behind where it needs to be to be revolutionary. They simply adopted a few ideas all the other companies have already done...which to me, only contributes to over-saturation of mid-range airguns all boasting the same features.

Are calibers/probes easily swappable?

Did they integrate SSG technology?

Does the gun weigh under 8 lbs bare?

How many different sized o-rings?

Regulators adjustment range?

Adjustable tp port via power wheel or the like?

I'm happy to see you posting again, and here. You should get all the new people caught up on what you did to your mrod years ago. It's still cool.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

Stubbers,
I am sorry you don't like the new Marauder.

I was highlighting the ability to shoot at 1000psi because a customer asked about it. They were concerned with being able to shoot low energy as a pellet rifle. The customer concern was whether or not this rifle with the large plenum could be dialed down to shoot in the same energy ranges as the current Marauders. The answer is yes. The combination of the large plenum and 24" barrel allow this platform to be dialed down to shoot a 14.3g pellet at 830 fps with single digit standard deviations. It sems your preference is more power. You can bump the regulator up and make shoot 25g pellets in .22 at 930fps. Same with the 34g .25 cal pellets. The valve and hammer designs allow for a large operating window. I don't need any modifications to run at 2500psi.


Customers have been asking for a side lever for years. People ask, we listen. Personally, I prefer a side lever action over a bolt action. There are a number of reasons, and the biggest one is that you don't have to alter your head position to cock the rifle on a quick follow up shot or for bench rest shooting.

The Gen 3 is only 2" longer than the Gen 2. It is slightly heavier, but I don't find it unwieldy.

John

 

[hameditor]

Stubbers,
I am sorry you don't like the new Marauder.

I was highlighting the ability to shoot at 1000psi because a customer asked about it. They were concerned with being able to shoot low energy as a pellet rifle. The customer concern was whether or not this rifle with the large plenum could be dialed down to shoot in the same energy ranges as the current Marauders. The answer is yes. The combination of the large plenum and 24" barrel allow this platform to be dialed down to shoot a 14.3g pellet at 830 fps with single digit standard deviations. It sems your preference is more power. You can bump the regulator up and make shoot 25g pellets in .22 at 930fps. Same with the 34g .25 cal pellets. The valve and hammer designs allow for a large operating window. I don't need any modifications to run at 2500psi.


Customers have been asking for a side lever for years. People ask, we listen. Personally, I prefer a side lever action over a bolt action. There are a number of reasons, and the biggest one is that you don't have to alter your head position to cock the rifle on a quick follow up shot or for bench rest shooting.

The Gen 3 is only 2" longer than the Gen 2. It is slightly heavier, but I don't find it unwieldy.

John

John, great reply, thank you!!!

 

[Pumacarl]

I have always been pretty vocal about wanting a tier one Marauder, and had thought any new Marauder was never coming at this point, so I'm happy about any progress. I do wonder why it takes so long for the things that Stubbers did to his gun years ago, and proven to work better, takes so long to get produced by a factory. Especially since in the intervening time so many other guns have come out. Epic started with balanced valves, AGT and RTI have moved to them. They should be getting to be commonplace by now. I think the future looks hammerless anyway I guess. It's weird what takes so long and what happens so fast. Half the time it just doesn't make any sense to me. Guns with hammers should be coming with SSG's so when you take apart your guns you don't have to reset your hammer spring every time. Simple things like that, not being done, just doesn't make much sense either. I still hope that Crosman or Benjamin open back up the custom shop and offer a tier one G3. That would be very cool.

 

[Calson]

I have owned many brands of airguns and currently have a Karma SLS, Air Arms S510, and the Marauder Field and Target. 100% of my pellet jams are with the Marauder rifle. I would pay a great deal to get a better magazine than what Benjamin provides its customers.

When I am intent on killing a critter the Marauder is the last rifle I would grab. It is suitable for target use only where a pellet jam is not a big deal.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

I have owned many brands of airguns and currently have a Karma SLS, Air Arms S510, and the Marauder Field and Target. 100% of my pellet jams are with the Marauder rifle. I would pay a great deal to get a better magazine than what Benjamin provides its customers.

When I am intent on killing a critter the Marauder is the last rifle I would grab. It is suitable for target use only where a pellet jam is not a big deal.

I don't see or hear about many jams in a bolt Marauder unless the breech o-ring is missing. Can you check to see if there is an o-ring just inside the mouth of the barrel? If that is missing, it will not feed well at all and your accuracy generally suffers.

John

 

[Dogowski]

I have owned many brands of airguns and currently have a Karma SLS, Air Arms S510, and the Marauder Field and Target. 100% of my pellet jams are with the Marauder rifle. I would pay a great deal to get a better magazine than what Benjamin provides its customers.

When I am intent on killing a critter the Marauder is the last rifle I would grab. It is suitable for target use only where a pellet jam is not a big deal.

Hey man welcome to the forum. I just received my Karma SLS 25 caliber Saturday! The one I got shoots very accurate at 30 yards and cycles great with the AEA 25.3 grain pellets. The weather was incredible and after cleaning the barrel i shot over 200 quick rounds in side lever and semi-auto mode and there was hardly any difference in accuracy all shooting dime to nickle size tight groups. I've never been happier with an airgun purchase as this thing is incredible!

 

[Dairyboy]

Epic started with balanced valves, AGT and RTI have moved to them. They should be getting to be commonplace by now.

As a hunter i hate balanced valves as many i see have a slow first shot problem due to stiction. I know Tom from AAA has solved this i believe by not using an oring like others do. Epic had problems when they first came out (maybe still do not sure) and maybe other companies are finding out ways to not have that slow first shot. I havent paid much attention to it the last year so maybe fixes have been done that I missed. But balanced valve to me is essentially a no go unless they can prove to be as reliable as a standard valve in terms of the first shot reliability. I could have missed that being off the forums last year. Now hammerless I can get behind. The Skout Semi is one im willing to try. Im hoping there's no slow first shots with it.

 

[Pumacarl]

As a hunter i hate balanced valves as many i see have a slow first shot problem due to stiction. I know Tom from AAA has solved this i believe by not using an oring like others do. Epic had problems when they first came out (maybe still do not sure) and maybe other companies are finding out ways to not have that slow first shot. I havent paid much attention to it the last year so maybe fixes have been done that I missed. But balanced valve to me is essentially a no go unless they can prove to be as reliable as a standard valve in terms of the first shot reliability. I could have missed that being off the forums last year. Now hammerless I can get behind. The Skout Semi is one im willing to try. Im hoping there's no slow first shots with it.

Yeah, I have said much the same thing about balanced valves but there are a lot more companies working at it now, and hammerless, so I've equated my own reservations to be like those who were grumbling about regulators when they first came out. Things have been getting better and better. I never would have believed that I'd be tuning an airgun to shoot 300y, with slugs, just 10 years ago, impossible to imagine back then. I keep thinking that things will level out at some point, but they don't seem to be lately. I just have to set my sights higher I guess, I'd really like a shoulder fired Gauss gun!

 

[Dairyboy]

Yeah, I have said much the same thing about balanced valves but there are a lot more companies working at it now, and hammerless, so I've equated my own reservations to be like those who were grumbling about regulators when they first came out. Things have been getting better and better. I never would have believed that I'd be tuning an airgun to shoot 300y, with slugs, just 10 years ago, impossible to imagine back then. I keep thinking that things will level out at some point, but they don't seem to be lately. I just have to set my sights higher I guess, I'd really like a shoulder fired Gauss gun!

You make a good point. It's true if they never make them, they'll never be able to improve them and make them reliable. Ill admit im not good with change lol. I prefer the old reliable stuff over new tech. But that's not the way the world works and ill join the balanced valves when they're the old tech lol