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.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

View attachment 16049

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.

So glad to see this happening. I hope a wood offering is available as well.

 

[Joe Shooter]

Iconic, Benjamin....you HAVE to produce this in a .30. If you want to make the BIG BOY move up and be taken seriously in the competition world, you have to release this in .30 also. Thirty cal is the overwhelming #1 caliber used at EBR, Rocky Mountain AND PAC.

 

[Elexious Musick]

Any chance on a wood stock, SAM in .25 cal in 2026? I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

 

[AtlasAirguns]

Iconic, Benjamin....you HAVE to produce this in a .30. If you want to make the BIG BOY move up and be taken seriously in the competition world, you have to release this in .30 also. Thirty cal is the overwhelming #1 caliber used at EBR, Rocky Mountain AND PAC.

This.

 

[Dogowski]

Iconic, Benjamin....you HAVE to produce this in a .30. If you want to make the BIG BOY move up and be taken seriously in the competition world, you have to release this in .30 also. Thirty cal is the overwhelming #1 caliber used at EBR, Rocky Mountain AND PAC.

Hi Joe and welcome to the forum! At the Pyramid Air Cup John mentioned 22 and 25 then later 177 caliber. No mention of a 30 cal in the future. We can always hope right?

 

[hameditor]

I have the same information from John about calibers. But I will observe that the forthcoming new Marauder appears to have a mighty big plenum. Just saying...

 

[PA_AirHead]

Can’t wait to see a production model at my Benji stomping grounds at AR. It’s a really welcomed addition or should I say update to the Benji line up. I don’t “need” another airgun, but I’m pretty sure at the price point they’re aiming for they will sell me one and they will sell a lot of them.

 

[TerryE1]

I've had a .177 Gen1 Marauder for 10 years, now. Pic rail and sidelever---Hell hath finally frozen over.

I hope Benjamin sells a boat load of them.

 

[Dogowski]

I've had a .177 Gen1 Marauder for 10 years, now. Pic rail and sidelever---Hell hath finally frozen over.

I hope Benjamin sells a boat load of them.

You and Dana should be on the first list to test and evaluate this bad boy!

 

[TerryE1]

You and Dana should be on the first list to test and evaluate this bad boy!

I would like to see how it pushes some 33gr .25 pellets.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

You and Dana should be on the first list to test and evaluate this bad boy!

I would echo this

 

[FL22]

You and Dana should be on the first list to test and evaluate this bad boy!

Cough…Hard Air Magazine…cough,cough .

HAMster at the center of my Airgun heart, what can I say…

 

[Pumacarl]

I don't know, there is going to be the gun we get, and then there is going to be the gun we use. I truly doubt that anyone who has been dreaming about getting one of these guns, is going to be keeping the bottle it comes with. The change in swing weight between bottle types and sizes is very noticable if you get up off the bench. The first thing that any previous mrod owner did to their guns ( I know I did) was to remove the lawyer spring and end up with a great trigger, and the bottle is going to be the first thing to go this time. This will change the entire feel of the gun, much the same way that the aluminum air tube changed the shootability of my gen 2 mrod. Night and day. The same can be said about the aforementioned trigger. If reviewers of the gen 2 mrod talked about the trigger as it came from the factory then they were doing everyone watching a disservice, unless they mentioned the obvious fix, which would negate the results of the factory original trigger review in the first place. I'd like to see a review from sub12airgunner where he takes the gun right down so I know what I'm getting. I was going to get a BSA R12 until I saw his video, the beauty was only skin deep to me, I don't like how that gun is made on the inside. Stuff like that is really good to know up front.

 

[Danman]

Very nice to see this rifle coming to fruition! Sure hope it has decent power numbers in .25....Will be following along. Most rifle style pcps in .25 are fairly anemic it seems, you either have to get a big ol bullpup an AirForce or mod something else to get power out of the caliber.
And a big +1 on offering it at some point with a wood stock! Beech....poplar.....walnut....im not fussy

 

[Pesty3782]

John let me shoot this at PAC at 100 yards…The barrel loves the 25 grain pellet. I stacked 3 pellets at 100 yards without adjusting anything on the scope. The rifle can shoot!!

Everybody that came up wanted to know when the 30 was coming out

John think the bosses will read this..

Tony P.

 

[TerryE1]

I would echo this

Dana still has his .22 Gen1. We're both qualified.

 

[Pumacarl]

I'll put it out there too! I dare you guys to send me one to review. I have never done a formal review, or even a video, but I certainly have a paper trail of commentary on this subject, on this forum and others. I only promise to be brutally honest. I wouldn't be leaving anything alone either, once I go over something and I don't like it, it gets changed, modified or replaced. I might even rattle can it, if it's just going to show up with a black synthetic stock. lol

It doesn't really matter, I am probably just going to do one anyway, so brace yourselves!

 

[Pumacarl]

I can't believe I just thought to ask this question, but I went back and watched the video again and read all the threads, and didn't see it, is this gun going to come with a bonded moderator? If it does, I am so XXXXXXX out! I just wanted to be crystal clear on that if anyone from Iconic is reading this thread. DO NOT BOND THE MODERATOR! It is a total non-starter for me, and I really hope airgunners draw the line on this issue too.

Edit: If you're going to bond the moderator, just rename the gun the Urban Gen 2. Leave the Marauder out of it.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

I'll put it out there too! I dare you guys to send me one to review. I have never done a formal review, or even a video, but I certainly have a paper trail of commentary on this subject, on this forum and others. I only promise to be brutally honest. I wouldn't be leaving anything alone either, once I go over something and I don't like it, it gets changed, modified or replaced. I might even rattle can it, if it's just going to show up with a black synthetic stock. lol

It doesn't really matter, I am probably just going to do one anyway, so brace yourselves!

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

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

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