5teve

Somebody once said, "Think Gamo, think 1983 Skoda Estelle." Wise words, methinks.

James .... I only tried one of each type. I may be totally out of order here but it seems daft to buy a rifle for £300 - £350, get a gunshop to tune it and then find that it is still to strong. I may just be better off waiting to find one that I know that I can handle of the side crank or PCP variety..

Sorry for being a bit vague, guys. My question about the Whip being maybe called something else if the gauge was included was meant to be about the bit that connects the air bottle to the rifle on any PCP type of set-up. I was thinking that there must have been a reason for not simply calling it "The tube." Cut me some slack, guys. I'm new to all this, lol

Treecreeper .... Thanks for that. Does it have a different name when a gauge is included? Secretagentmole .... You'd think that, wouldn't you but it doesn't seem to work that way. Believe me when I say that choosing a rifle would be a lot less complicated if a Springer was an easy option. There are dozens of them for sale in local shops. But it just doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe the cocking cycle with the Feinwerkbau side lever is just easier. I don't have a definitive answer. Cheers, Steve

BTW, the only second hand Air Arms S200 for £250 was a Mk1 and, I don't mean to be picky but it looks to be from about 1980-90. It could well be a perfectly good rifle but, in all honesty, I'd prefer something newer. I think I'll stay away from rifle makers that are a bit out on the edge. They may be cheap but the don't have a proven track record. A bit like the Skoda Estelles and Lada Rivas from the early 80's. Maybe I'm being cruel but the name Hatsan springs to mind.

I have no objection to going down the second hand route if the cost and condition are OK. I'm a bit confused by a term used by Smithie ^^^ up there. He said ..... "bottle+whip £150." What's a Whip? Also, the last link provided by Moxy showing clamp systems almost scared me to death. It all looks more complicated than my Jag's electric system. One reason why, if I go down the PCP route, I'm hoping to buy the full kit from the same person, either trade or private. Many thanks for your info, guys, Steve

I tried my hand at rifle shooting using a No8 .22 when I was 16 and serving at HMS Ganges. My service life is a bit of a mish-mash but basically I joined the Royal Navy as a Helicopter Mechanic and then, when my time was up, I left and joined the Paras. Anyway, if my Gunnery Instructor saw those pictures of a guy in the Prone position, he'd have a duck fit. His mantra was that both heels should be touching the ground. Apart from that minor point, Pianoman has given us all a write up to cherish. Cheers, Steve

After a 52 year absence I have decided to have another go at Air Rifle target shooting. The problem is that I'm disabled with a dodgy spine caused by jumping out of aircraft for a living while in the Parachute Regiment. This has created a few cause and effect type issues. The prone position for shooting is out of the question. As is cocking a "Springer" type air rifle that has either a Break barrel or Underlever system. I just don't have the upper body strength any more. I could maybe cock such a weapon 3 or 4 times but that's not much cop if you plan on doing 30 - 50 shots over the course of

Hi all, My name is Steve but I guess you figured that out already from the Username. I'm 63, happily married for longer than a donkey's what-sit and I have a confession to make. I don't know the first thing about hunting. I used to shoot an air rifle when I was about 12 or so but that was only at paper or tin targets. I just decided to get back into target shooting before Christmas as a hobby and then I saw your "For Sale" section had some air rifles in it. I'm in the market for one so I joined. Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so, but I'd like to be allowed to stay. Cheers,