Spring/Piston Spring Piston vs. PCP: Is the Debate Over?

[RicL]

If PCPs never took off, how many more springers/springer manufacturers would we have? Probably not many more, but I’ll take a Springer by Taipan…

 

[Cousin Jack]

I am a very old target shooter: 3 position smallbore, military M-14 battle rifles, high power and smallbore silhouette rifle.... and now, nothing but American Field Target (shooting mostly off of sticks while sitting on a bucket). And I still love sending rounds down range. I have both a Benjamin Marauder syn 2 and a lovely TX200 Mk III in .177.... I am no longer competitive and never will be again, and while I shoot better with the Benjamin.... I more often choose my sleek TX 200. Simply because I love it more.

 

[Jaabaa]

I've only recently gotten into PCP only because of the People I've met through here.
I'm a springer guy through and through.
But for hunting and Targeting when on trips I've learned that Both are needed.
Will there ever be a difinitive answer probably not.
But the overall cost of the springers over time will never be beat. The most cost effective airguns ever made. Mostly

 

[Madhatter]

Learn to shoot a springer accurately and it will make you a better shooter when shooting anything else. When I started out in airguns PCPs were just for the rich(1990). I did do a lot of shooting with a Sheridan in the late 60s so I guess I did start out with a PCP. I do have to say I shoot my springers more than my PCPs. There's no challenge to shoot my PCPs at the range off my porch. I guess I'm just lazy cause I have a 100 yard range about a 15 min. walk from my front door and I have it all to myself.

 

[Luis Leon]

Why compare the “two” they each have their own niches… For myself? Personally PCPs far outclass Springers, simply no comparison between the two… Started with springers but have moved on. This is not disregarding the efficiency of springers. PCPs though they require additional support are simply easier to send with…

 

[Scriv]

I have a TX200 and ProSport, several Feinwerkbau's and numerous HW guns along with one Diana, all springers, have never shot a PCP and really not interested.

You know what you like, and that's awesome.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

I have shot PCP airrifles on numerous occasions. About 6 years ago, I would be shooting one of my CO2 rifles or pistols, or perhaps my TX200 springer. One of our other members came out to the range every day, yes that's 7 days a week to shoot his chassis mounted, tuned by Thompson, RAW 177 rifle. He did this twice a day for 2 hours each. He shot hole-in-hole, never missing a shot. Interesting I thought as I plinked around the steel targets mounted at various heights and distances on our range. He regularly invited me to shoot his 6 thousand dollar rifle, but I was intimidated and always declined, until one day I just thought "what the heck, I'll give it a whirl". So I did: hole on hole. A little ragged, but still all 10 pointers. OK, now I've seen and done it. I've lusted not after PCP's but stayed happily with my growing group of springers. I like the challenges. PCPs just seem boring to me. To each his own. I miss my shooting buddy as he moved across the country to be nearer his son and grandkids. I'd do the same. I don't begrudge PCP shooting, they're just not my style. Orv.

 

[ernroe]

I have 3 PCPs and 1 Springer a HW30N. MY first air rifle was a AA TX 200 and I didn't keep it long enough to appreciate it. Then I went the PCP route and like Doc says it can get boring. I bought a HW 50S .22 and later the HW30N .177 cal. If you don't have a HW30 you are missing a treat and, we all like treats. (IMO) Anyway, long story short, given my age and arthritic neck the HW 50S was causing me problems and eventually the HW30 will also but, we will wait for that to happen and not worry about it today. I'm sure most of y'all have heard this story before but I am going to ride it as long as I can. I just sold the HW50S to a shooter in Cal. I am a backyard plinker out to 50 yards and that little HW30 will hit any target within the 50yds. I would not shoot an animal with it at that range but it holds its own if I do my job on the targets. I spent the afternoon re-arranging my range(I set up some special targets for the HW30) and will post a before and after tomorrow.

 

[Fishing 43]

I have 3 PCPs and 1 Springer a HW30N. MY first air rifle was a AA TX 200 and I didn't keep it long enough to appreciate it. Then I went the PCP route and like Doc says it can get boring. I bought a HW 50S .22 and later the HW30N .177 cal. If you don't have a HW30 you are missing a treat and, we all like treats. (IMO) Anyway, long story short, given my age and arthritic neck the HW 50S was causing me problems and eventually the HW30 will also but, we will wait for that to happen and not worry about it today. I'm sure most of y'all have heard this story before but I am going to ride it as long as I can. I just sold the HW50S to a shooter in Cal. I am a backyard plinker out to 50 yards and that little HW30 will hit any target within the 50yds. I would not shoot an animal with it at that range but it holds its own if I do my job on the targets. I spent the afternoon re-arranging my range(I set up some special targets for the HW30) and will post a before and after tomorrow.

Sounds like fun times tomorrow. Enjoyed reading your post.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

I have 3 PCPs and 1 Springer a HW30N. MY first air rifle was a AA TX 200 and I didn't keep it long enough to appreciate it. Then I went the PCP route and like Doc says it can get boring. I bought a HW 50S .22 and later the HW30N .177 cal. If you don't have a HW30 you are missing a treat and, we all like treats. (IMO) Anyway, long story short, given my age and arthritic neck the HW 50S was causing me problems and eventually the HW30 will also but, we will wait for that to happen and not worry about it today. I'm sure most of y'all have heard this story before but I am going to ride it as long as I can. I just sold the HW50S to a shooter in Cal. I am a backyard plinker out to 50 yards and that little HW30 will hit any target within the 50yds. I would not shoot an animal with it at that range but it holds its own if I do my job on the targets. I spent the afternoon re-arranging my range(I set up some special targets for the HW30) and will post a before and after tomorrow.

Just a suggestion here, but have you considered cocking aids to make the process a bit simpler? If you'd consider one, I'd be happy to research one specifically for your TX200. They're available for any Weihrauch springer as well. By the by, I'm always looking for quality springers to enhance my small collection. Orv.

 

[ernroe]

Just a suggestion here, but have you considered cocking aids to make the process a bit simpler? If you'd consider one, I'd be happy to research one specifically for your TX200. They're available for any Weihrauch springer as well. By the by, I'm always looking for quality springers to enhance my small collection. Orv.

Thx Orv, I sold the HW50S. At present I am not having problems with the HW30 if I keep it around 25 shots. I appreciate the suggestion of a cocking aide. The TX200 is long gone. I had a HW97 ordered but canceled because of this issue.

 

[Hoppalong Doc]

There are plenty of fine rifles out there to meet all our myriad dreams. The Spanish made Cometa. rifles intrigue me at this point because I suppose, I've yet to fire one. I say this because there are sooo many rifles available and I just want to try all of them. All it takes is the dream, and money I suppose.Orv.