Beeman R1?

[briang2ad]

I have an RWS 94 - not a bad gun. Bought it years ago. It still shoots pretty good with the right pellet - the RWS miesterkugeln. I've read a post somewhere that these air rifles won't last that long? True?

Saw a used R1 today at a shop with a scope for about $400 - is this good? (Beautiful stock, very hefty, very Germanic). I've ehard good things about them. What does one look for in a used gun? Will they last? Can they be rebuilt? There are so many models and types, its mind boggling.

Now that I concluded that .22s in the basement is a disaster from lead poisoning, I'm thinking of doing more pellet shooting.

 

[NCdrummer]

The R1 is the mac-daddy of break-barrel spring guns. It's way overbuilt, very heavy, and a joy to shoot. I have had a .177 and .20, but I think the choice is the .22. It's a great and well-built rifle. $400 is about the going rate. You might check out airguns.net.

 

[goldie]

the r1 is a great rifle, ive had an electroless nickel one for about 14 years,never had a problem.shoots strong & its accurate. not much to look for,as long as its in good condition , i doubt it would have been abused. most people who buy an airgun like that are much more likely to take care of it.beemans & a few other airgun places can do repairs if needed,so that is not a problem.i think they are about 550+ new,so its not a bad price.one thing,you need an airgun scope not a regular rifle scope, they have a jolt that will destroy a regular rifle scope, & airgun scopes can be expensive. needs to be mounted real good to prevent slipping,too.Whoever said they wont last knows nothing about these guns.it will last for decades. they are made in germany by a company called weihrauch,& they are so overbuilt,& made with the best materials,real deep blueing,& its trigger is a rekord,the best airgun trigger going for this kind of rifle....

 

[briang2ad]

My "won't last comment" really refers to my RWS 94 - a much cheaper rifle made in Spain for RWS - now discontinued.

 

[alfack]

RWS imports some nice ones, too. They are made by Diana.

I think my Beeman Crow Magnum in .22 is the mack-daddy of break barrels, though I can't believe the quality of the bluing on that baby.

 

[PzGren]

I have a HW35E that was built in 1971 and used all those years. The only thing that I needed to replace was the barrel seal.

Eventually the seals and springs will deteriorate but the parts can still be found.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Do you mean the combo you saw was used at that price? I wouldn't buy a used airgun like that because you don't know if someone ran a steel cleaning rod down the barrel, messing up the fragile rifling, and/or shot it without pellets, slamming the piston around. So bottom line, examine the rifling carefully, see if they'll let you test fire it, and try to get a bit better price on a used one.

In any event, ALL German-made Beemans are good (not the "Sportster" or "Sportsman" or whatever the China ones are called), as are the German-made RWS's, and the R1 would be no exception - excellent rifle by all accounts. Get the one that fits you in terms of use/need, weight, size, cocking effort required, etc.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I can't believe the quality of the bluing on that baby.

Kind of makes you sick doesn't it....buy a air rifle and the blue is waaaaay better than most centerfire guns!

I have a Crow Mag., sweet shooter, will definitely get the job done! But the RWS 54 I shoot regularly takes the cake!

 

[NWCP]

I have owned a couple of brake barrel airguns in the past. My favorite would have to be my current RWS 350 Magnum in .22 cal. It's less expensive than the R1 and has been a great hunting rifle for me. I have taken a slew of ground squirrel with the 350 and Crossman Premier pellets. Airguns can be refurbished and yes they have parts that wear out over the years. Airgun hunting is an absolute blast and really hones your stalking skills as you attempt to get up close and personal with skittish furry critters.

 

[sgtdevildog]

I have a Beeman HW77 carbine - great airgun - super accurate, great trigger, heavy as a standard rifle. Many a pellet has gone down range in the basement. Also fun is "sniping" 9mm brass cases at various ranges in the back yard.

 

[briang2ad]

How does my RWS 94 stack up? It is discontinued, so I wonder if it can ever be rebuilt? With parts is it hard/easy?

Sometimes I can let a string go for a very good group, but I seem to get fliers. That with the open sights it comes with.

 

[alfack]

Kind of makes you sick doesn't it....buy a air rifle and the blue is waaaaay better than most centerfire guns!

I have a Crow Mag., sweet shooter, will definitely get the job done! But the RWS 54 I shoot regularly takes the cake!

Amen brother. But, some of the airguns cost more than a powder burner, too. And for that price, they better be immaculate.

 

[ThomasT]

Okay I may get laughed at but here goes. I bought one of the Beemans sold in walmart with 2 barrels. It came in 177 and 22 caliber. It cost $134+ change. It included a 4X scope also. And yes, its made in china.

In two days I have shot 450 177 pellets and about 50 22 pellets. I am impressed with the accuracy and most of all the power. It didn't shoot daisey pellets worth a flip. The Benjimen pellets will stay in a 3/4" group at 22 yards. Thats with open sights. I use a piece of 7/16 wafer board for a backstop. The friggin' 177s were shooting through the backstop at 22 yards. I didn't expect that.

I don't really like the small 177 pellet. But its cheap and accurate. I pay $5.50 for them at Academy. I have a new respect for the 177 caliber. I would like to have a real high dollar air rifle but if it came to forking over $400 bucks or more I would just buy a nice CZ 22 or something like that.

I bought this to plink with in the backyard and get a little trigger time at low cost. I have 90 days to return it if it breaks. It seems well made and finished. So far I think it is the best $135 bucks I have parted with in a long time. You might want to look at one before you turn your nose up at it.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Kind of makes you sick doesn't it....buy a air rifle and the blue is waaaaay better than most centerfire guns!

Yep, I've had four German made RWS pellet rifles, and all had/have beautiful deep bluing.

 

[Mountie855]

Air Rifle

Currently have Beeman R1 & R10, and both are excellent, as others have noted.

But, watched Airguns show on TV this week, and the PCP airgun made in USA by AirForce is pretty impressive.
Unconventional appearance, but great performer.

 

[briang2ad]

Okay I may get laughed at but here goes. I bought one of the Beemans sold in walmart with 2 barrels. It came in 177 and 22 caliber. It cost $134+ change. It included a 4X scope also. And yes, its made in china.

...The Benjimen pellets will stay in a 3/4" group at 22 yards. Thats with open sights. I use a piece of 7/16 wafer board for a backstop. ...

My RWS 94 with open sights WON'T do that! I saw one of those at Walmart, but did not figure it would be better than my RWS - but then again, the Chinese makje some VERY good stuff - doesn't always LOOK the best, but it works!

Have you used the scope???

Now, will it last???

 

[NCdrummer]

SPRING GUNS! I said!! No fair you gas rammer you.

 

[goldie]

its great on a snowy day or whenever your bored to shoot in the basement, & its cheap,too. 500 rounds of rws ammo is about $7.50,how can you beat that? same price as 20 rounds of 223.....