Looking for a recomendation...

[TurboChrisB]

So one of my old friends....lives in a rural area. Has a felony from 30 years ago, so he can't buy a firearm. He'd like something that he can not only plink with but possibly hunt with and lastly use for home defense if he ever needed to.

He's looking at the Benjamin Bulldog in .357 but from his research it seems many if not most of the air rifles will slowly leak out? That wouldn't do if you hear a bump in the night.

Looking for possible recommendations for something that might be suitable for his needs.

And I'm gonna assume that he's not dead set on rifles if there is a pistol that is better for him.

What do you guys think?

[Rivers]

If it's slowly leaking out, then something is wrong. If that "slowly" is like over a year or two, in a temperature-controlled environment, then I'd say it's no big deal. I have a RAW (Rapid Air Weapon) .30 that holds it's charge for the last 8 months without air pressure loss (moving, packing, storage, etc.) However, before that, it would lose charge overnight due to an O-ring seal failure. Rebuilding isn't difficult but being meticulous is a requirement.

He might consider the airguns that also shoot bolts. Pretty effective for hunting and defense as well as target shooting. Maybe a nice .22 Marauder for ground squirrels, target shooting, etc. and the air bolt gun for bigger prey. This .50 caliber air rifle also shoots bolts and is in the same price point as the Benjamin. Benjamin also makes an Air Bow rifle, priced in the mid-$800's but that only shoots bolts, not pellets.

[TurboChrisB]

Thanks for that. Doing a little bit of my own research shows this to be the case. I asked it as a question on the amazon site and got 7 or 8 people telling me the same thing and that as long as there is nothing wrong....6 months to up to way longer is what you should expect.

Thanks

If it's slowly leaking out, then something is wrong.

[WartHog]

All PCP's have o-rings and other types of seals that can wear or be damaged and leak air. These seals can be user-replaced if one has the skill/aptitude to do so. The good thing is Crosman/Benjamin branded products have a five year warranty.

[TurboChrisB]

All PCP's have o-rings and other types of seals that can wear or be damaged and leak air. These seals can be user-replaced if one has the skill/aptitude to do so. The good thing is Crosman/Benjamin branded products have a five year warranty.

Yeah, I saw one comment on a forum that you SHOULD leave them charged. Something about it being better for the seals or something.

Might be true, might not.

[Darto]

The M1A1 Tommys wwii era are about $230 street price. Heavy but looks intimidating Elliot Ness style.

https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-experience/?s=m1a1

(Unfortunately Dennis Adler is now ill and fighting for his life, and the blog is terminated. I think he authored the best coffee table gun books ever, always beautiful color pictures, not a lot of text. His books were about real guns, not airguns).

[AlexKintner]

I have had two Benjamin Marauders and one FX. All of them held 3.000 PSI for a year without leaking. Do not store them without pressure, as it damages the seals.

[Skip_Dog]

If he truley wants to plink with it, he would find any issues before its ever needed for hd. Atleast I hope so. Lots of good info above.