What I’d Tell My Younger Self About Airguns

[PasadenaMike]

1. Buy two AirForce rifles in .25 and be done. You hunt, not plink. One for work, one for backup.
2. Stop hoarding pellets. Hades and domed pellets are all you need. The rest are pointless—no pun intended.
3. Stick with GX compressors. Reliable, quiet, and stress-free.
4. Break barrels and multi-pumps are primitive pain machines. Not enough power, not worth the struggle.
5. Forget scope cams. You're not a content creator—enjoy the shot, take a pic if you must.
6. One compressor is plenty. Five means you’ve lost control.
7. You don’t need high-end glass at backyard distances. Keep it simple.
8. Hand pumps are medieval cardio. Just... no.
9. Don’t trust YouTube hype. Most are paid, confused, or both.
10. Range finders are for rookies. You know what 25 yards looks like.
11. Don’t chase the first-rifle feeling. You’ll never get it back. Keep the good one.
12. And above all… remain good with your fellow Hamsters. Unity matters—even in the pellet kingdom.

 

[PapaT]

I don't like 4, but then again... I do plink.
8. I like my medieval cardio sometimes.
10. I am the rookie

 

[pan60]

cardio is good for you and I think for Smal pest pumpers are great I have taken hundreds of tree rat and rabbits with mine.
but I wil confess I am now full on PCP and the pumpers dont see any use as of late.

 

[Franklink]

I don't have the regrets that you do...Ive enjoyed all of them, and learned something through my time with each one of them.

 

[Pumacarl]

I really like your idea for this post. It's fun to think about what you would tell your younger self if you could, about anything, actually. Now, I like that you have your list nailed down, but I don't agree with all of it, and that's good too. We're not all clones here, that's for sure. Good job!

 

[Dogowski]

1. Buy two AirForce rifles in .25 and be done. You hunt, not plink. One for work, one for backup.
2. Stop hoarding pellets. Hades and domed pellets are all you need. The rest are pointless—no pun intended.
3. Stick with GX compressors. Reliable, quiet, and stress-free.
4. Break barrels and multi-pumps are primitive pain machines. Not enough power, not worth the struggle.
5. Forget scope cams. You're not a content creator—enjoy the shot, take a pic if you must.
6. One compressor is plenty. Five means you’ve lost control.
7. You don’t need high-end glass at backyard distances. Keep it simple.
8. Hand pumps are medieval cardio. Just... no.
9. Don’t trust YouTube hype. Most are paid, confused, or both.
10. Range finders are for rookies. You know what 25 yards looks like.
11. Don’t chase the first-rifle feeling. You’ll never get it back. Keep the good one.
12. And above all… remain good with your fellow Hamsters. Unity matters—even in the pellet kingdom.

Number 6. Oh no, i have three compressors Mike. Should i seek therapy? I promise not to buy anymore! Lol, i need help.

 

[Pumacarl]

Number 6. Oh no, i have three compressors Mike. Should i seek therapy? I promise not to buy anymore! Lol, i need help.

Me too, though I'm totally fine with it! lol

 

[ctshooter]

Not intending to be cruel here - but why did you even get into airguns? You've got nearly nothing good to say about any of it and unfortunately the brand you have chosen falls well below AEA on my airgun radar. I maybe agree with 1 or 2 of your 12 items. Sorry you've such a cr@p ride, but most of us actually enjoy it - and I mean ALL off it - testing, shooting, maintenance, repair, upgrades. So really - go poop on your own parade - but why keep posting threads which poop on airgunning as a whole?

 

[Pumacarl]

He's had his experiences and shares the results, which some people might appreciate, or relate to at some point. Not to be cruel either, but you sound young. You can learn from other people's different views just as much as someone you agree with. There are usually good reasons to why people end up liking what they like, or not. I appreciate all honestly related experiences, it surprising sometimes how many end up landing on your doorstep, eventually. He's still here, and still shooting, and has experience with a boatload of airguns, reason enough to pay attention.

 

[Chief 10-Beers]

I am still very happy with My JTS $300 gun I bought, but looking back I should have skipped the other 2 I purchased and just bought a Better Brand rifle. Should have bought the AF as My second rifle. Cost would have been the same! lol

 

[FL22]

I would’ve told myself :

“ No matter what you do your wallet is doomed!! ”

Then laugh maniacally as I faded into the ether.

 

[Luis Leon]

My younger self? Don’t know where he went, but as for this PCP hobby? I started with an Gamo Urban and a Artemis pp700sa. And moved slowly from there as my wallet allowed. You did go through a lot of guns and gear in quite a short time. So its understandable that you may be a bit jaded. But there are practical reasons for range finders, good optics, scope cams, etc. Owning only one HPAC, particularly for newbies seems impractical. Unless they go big from the start. For most it makes sense to purchase a lower cost HPAC first, to test the waters if you will. That was true of me so no regrets, but as I got more invested? A second higher quality HPAC became necessary to stay in the game. Because the first crapped out…

 

[Madhatter]

I would say buy the Sumatra and then go for a high end PCP and call it good.