Kia Ora all.

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   Welcome! 
Airguns are fun. any you get will be fun to use. 

It really depends on what you want to use it for... my recommendations:

if its pest control - go for .22, something around 18 footpound.
If its targets then go for .177, flatter trajectory, smaller holes. something around 16 footpound is fine. 
If you want to do a little pest control too, the .177 will be fine for birds and rabbits. 

Dont buy gamo, they arent made to last, theyre over-sprung and horible to shoot. 

Hatsan, Crosman, Benjamin, Stoeger - kinda all on par - they are ok as low budget pest control guns - accuracy fine with the right pellets, trigger average but ok for out in the field. 

Step up in price to Cometa - a vast improvement on the trigger - nice and adjustable, can be made predictable, crisp and light. Build quality is good, good accurate barrels. 
I got a .177 Cometa Fusion as my first proper air gun, and it would stack pellets all day at 25yard range i shoot at.

Diana would be a step up from Cometa - german made, quality guns, better trigger. 

Step up again to Weihrauch - the HW80 in .22 is a great pest control gun - high powder, solid, youll be able to hand it down to your kids and grandkids with their build quality.
Rekord triggers are among the best of the sporting air rifles. Theyve been around for decades, and parts are readily available if you do need a repair. 
HW97 is a fantastic gun, lower in power means less recoil, heavy weight i find helps stability. Great gun for serious target shooting. 
HW95 - great option for lower power and easier to shoot than the HW80 with less recoil

Air Arms TX200 is awesome, finished with a deep shiny blueing you only see on fine British firearms. Triggers are every bit as good as the HW97 (i prefer the AA), just as accurate - it'l stack pellets in the same hole if you do your part.
Shoots smoother than the HW97 as it has synthetic bearings on the piston to reduce frisction and generally less twang than the HW. 
Problem is finding one, theyve been sold out quite some time, and I believe the new stock coming will be the newer Ultimate Sporter ones, whioch i cant see being less than $2k RRP

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J-S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2014 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 425	Post Options Post Reply Quote J-S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Kia Ora all. Posted: 22 Apr 2024 at 1:33pm
	Welcome! Airguns are fun. any you get will be fun to use. It really depends on what you want to use it for... my recommendations: if its pest control - go for .22, something around 18 footpound. If its targets then go for .177, flatter trajectory, smaller holes. something around 16 footpound is fine. If you want to do a little pest control too, the .177 will be fine for birds and rabbits. Dont buy gamo, they arent made to last, theyre over-sprung and horible to shoot. Hatsan, Crosman, Benjamin, Stoeger - kinda all on par - they are ok as low budget pest control guns - accuracy fine with the right pellets, trigger average but ok for out in the field. Step up in price to Cometa - a vast improvement on the trigger - nice and adjustable, can be made predictable, crisp and light. Build quality is good, good accurate barrels. I got a .177 Cometa Fusion as my first proper air gun, and it would stack pellets all day at 25yard range i shoot at. Diana would be a step up from Cometa - german made, quality guns, better trigger. Step up again to Weihrauch - the HW80 in .22 is a great pest control gun - high powder, solid, youll be able to hand it down to your kids and grandkids with their build quality. Rekord triggers are among the best of the sporting air rifles. Theyve been around for decades, and parts are readily available if you do need a repair. HW97 is a fantastic gun, lower in power means less recoil, heavy weight i find helps stability. Great gun for serious target shooting. HW95 - great option for lower power and easier to shoot than the HW80 with less recoil Air Arms TX200 is awesome, finished with a deep shiny blueing you only see on fine British firearms. Triggers are every bit as good as the HW97 (i prefer the AA), just as accurate - it'l stack pellets in the same hole if you do your part. Shoots smoother than the HW97 as it has synthetic bearings on the piston to reduce frisction and generally less twang than the HW. Problem is finding one, theyve been sold out quite some time, and I believe the new stock coming will be the newer Ultimate Sporter ones, whioch i cant see being less than $2k RRP
	J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many..

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Online Posts: 2283	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 2024 at 10:25am
	What is the primary use of the gun you are going to buy? The one thing I'm thinking through all this what does your rodent shooting require? There's not much point in having a powerful rifle that's going to pass thru rodents, most likely around structors (assumption) and ricochet. As mentioned before a sub 12ftp has been proven by the English to be effective at distance and probly safer around structors. I totally agree with the get higher quality, but is it practical for your use. Also need to be sure the gun suits you. TX was a beautiful gun, not quite right for me. Sig beautiful gun, not keen on cal for hunting. Weihrauch seems to be working out. None I would use for rat shooting around the implent sheds, wool shed, garage or house. Or birds with the exception of pidgeon or magpie in the trees away from house. (even then I've heard ricochet at 30mish.

Myson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Mar 2016 Location: Feilding Status: Offline Posts: 182	Post Options Post Reply Quote Myson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 2024 at 9:58am
	Welcome Bryan! Buy that Weihrauch 80 SL!!! You'll never be happier! And as it's so powerful and so accurate, .22 would be best in my opinion if you're thinking of hunting with it too? That would be my next purchase, along with an Element Helix scope (4-16x) in Sports Match rings. All Weihrauch's are Keepers - they make the best springers in the world and their triggers are sublime!!! They will give you, your children and your grandchildren hours and hours of happiness! They last forever! If you're in the North Island, you are welcome to come and try mine on my ranges here near Feilding.... just PM me.
	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177

Pauly5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Joined: 10 Mar 2013 Location: Titahi Bay Status: Online Posts: 1410	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pauly5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 2024 at 9:23am
	G'day Kruisn, Welcome aboard. My thoughts are echo'd in most of these comments. Depending on funds, and if I had to buy a springer now, I would be looking Weihrauch - 97k, 98, 95 or any other, Air Arms tx200, Cometa Fenix. There's a nice FWB looking to be sold atthe moment too. But the bottom line is that these well engineered guns built with good tollerances and sturdy materials will serve you well and last. And don't be wow'd by impressive claims of 1200 fps. Other brands that use plastics on critical parts just won't last, and will get sloppy. This also means that buying a good brand second hand, you will still get a good gun. The other important factor is the trigger. If it has a nice adjustable trigger, this will go a long way to accuracy. There seems to be a few decent guns going through trademe recently. I see there's an English made Webley on at the moment, although I don't know anything about it other than the English ones are better than the Turkish ones. Keep us posted, it's quite enjoyable seeing someones journey to a purchase.

RangerPete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Offline Posts: 884	Post Options Post Reply Quote RangerPete Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 7:33pm
	Welcome Kruisn, You do know you are asking one of "those" questions right, like how long is a piece of string.... For my 2 cents worth, if you can afford a Weihrauch, get it. End of story. I could write two pages on why u should get a Weihrauch, or an AirArms, but the short version is if you have taken the time to reach out to an air gun forum you are obviously serious about getting an air rifle, so get yourself a quality rifle and just be a happy air gunner... Life's too short for cheep crap
	Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Declan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2020 Location: North Island Status: Offline Posts: 86	Post Options Post Reply Quote Declan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 6:43pm
	Welcome to the forum. I reckon that many of today’s springers are pretty good and will outshoot most of their owners. No matter your choice you are bound to end up with something that meets your needs. My other observation is that the top of the range springers like Air Arms and Weihrauch have spare parts readily available. However the guns do cost more and it might well be better buy then throw away the cheaper units when they fail in a few years and buy another. That way if technology changes or improves you are keeping up with the latest guns. Edited by Declan - 20 Apr 2024 at 6:52pm

mercs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2020 Location: Stratford Status: Offline Posts: 272	Post Options Post Reply Quote mercs Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 5:51pm
	Welcome, look forward to regular updates. Yes there is so much information that it will get confusing. My advice: define the usage and take your time, read the forum reviews. The British do great stuff with sub 12 ft/lbs so it is not all about power. Quality second hand units would be my choice. Most important: trigger, trigger and the trigger. Gamo: from my posts, you will see I own many, but will never recommend the magnum units. Multi-Shot units, I struggle to see the benefit, air guns are meant to be simple and easy to maintain. Gamo make some mid-power rifles where the trigger is not as stressed so remains usable. Walking about for pest control then consider weight. Scopes - go for lifetime warranties.

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Online Posts: 2283	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 5:36pm
	Dude I'm in no way more than a newbie to the air gun world. There are guys on here with a wealth of knowledge and skills. Great to have you on board. Will be keen to see what you end up with and how you find it to shoot.

kruisn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 10 May 2023 Location: Far North Status: Offline Posts: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruisn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 5:32pm
	Hi Kruzaroad, Great advice, I have been reading your very knowledgable posts. Probably won't bother the Gamo distributors as I did get rid of the pistol some 20 years ago. Seems that as in most areas you get what you pay for. Really enjoy your gun reviews. Cheers. Bryan.

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Online Posts: 2283	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2024 at 4:59pm
	Greetings. My honest opion is, if your going to shoot targets out past 25-30m,possibly hares rabbits etc, spend the extra. You need the quality to get past that in a springer(in my view) If your shooting 20m-30m target and rodents birds close range, there are a few cheaper guns that will do the job. I swear by crossman 1322 for birds, target shooting to 30m (it gets dodgy after that) Longer barrel, stock, steel breach, new bolt plus gun 500ish. But in general it's worth the extra in my view. Vaughans in upper hut is the nz gamo distribution,if your still looking for seals. Great ppl to deal with in my experiance.