Gave in and applied for my FAL!

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   Welp, I said I'd never do it, but too many half-killed possums even with my Hatsan QE135 in .25 at 28fpe and I decided to have a go at getting my FAL at the ripe old age of 40, so I can try a PCP. Shot placement will of course still be key, but I am picking will be a whole lot easier. 

Something tells me even if or when I get it, the old magnum springer will hold a place in my heart forever. The week before last I got somewhere around 15 possums in a night, including some shots that were really stretching it out, and I wonder if there will still be the same satisfaction without cracking that big old barrel every time. 

Sent paperwork away and paid the fee tonight. I guess I just hurry up and wait! 

How was everyone else's experience, worth the long wait or did you just learn to further tame your springers in the meantime? 

Edited by Loud_Whisper - 04 Nov 2025 at 10:26pm

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Loud_Whisper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29 Sep 2024 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Loud_Whisper Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Gave in and applied for my FAL! Posted: 04 Nov 2025 at 10:24pm
	Welp, I said I'd never do it, but too many half-killed possums even with my Hatsan QE135 in .25 at 28fpe and I decided to have a go at getting my FAL at the ripe old age of 40, so I can try a PCP. Shot placement will of course still be key, but I am picking will be a whole lot easier. Something tells me even if or when I get it, the old magnum springer will hold a place in my heart forever. The week before last I got somewhere around 15 possums in a night, including some shots that were really stretching it out, and I wonder if there will still be the same satisfaction without cracking that big old barrel every time. Sent paperwork away and paid the fee tonight. I guess I just hurry up and wait! How was everyone else's experience, worth the long wait or did you just learn to further tame your springers in the meantime? Edited by Loud_Whisper - 04 Nov 2025 at 10:26pm

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Offline Posts: 2624	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 7:34am
	Shame on you! Giving up skill for the easy way out. Tut tut Tut. But seriously at your old age of 40 ( oh the good old days of youth) i can see why? Lmao Fal is a great idea. Is it worth it? Got to be. End of the day your obviously shooting a few possums and a pcp is going to be a much better tool for the job. Also opens you up to small bore powder burners, which come into there own for distance and power. End of the day if your into springers, your into springers. I am. If your into the best tool for then job then theres a lot of better tools for the job than a springer and most require a fal. Take the hassel and get the fal. Chances are when the gun regulations change there are going to be annoying limits on even springers, so i think it's good move. 👍

J-S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Oct 2014 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 486	Post Options Post Reply Quote J-S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 7:47am
	I never bothered until I was similar age, mainly as rules changed and I needed it to be range officer at the club.. ive had a few pcps, still have one, getting another, but still reach for the springer/s as they're just so much fun and accurate! Though I do only really shoot fixed distance, indoor paper target... For a hunting scenario, pcp would be the way to go
	J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many..

RangerPete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Offline Posts: 1028	Post Options Post Reply Quote RangerPete Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 hours 57 minutes ago at 5:03pm
	40...! Phwe, thats old, wow. Almost too late to apply I'd say. My FAL application was pretty stright forward, the hardest part was driving to Taupo to have to sit the (extreamly difficult) multiple choice test. If you are a springer guy, you'l always be a springer guy, no matter how many other rifles you own. PCP's are amazing, but like you said, shot placemet is and always will be, the key. Be warned though, once you get a nice shooting pcp, you'll want to just keep shooting it, and you can go through pellets rather quickly! But they are so much fun Edited by RangerPete - 15 hours 56 minutes ago at 5:04pm
	Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

Pauly5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Joined: 11 Mar 2013 Location: Titahi Bay Status: Offline Posts: 1664	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pauly5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 32 minutes ago at 6:28am
	When I first got mine, I was a devout springer man and thought i'd get it just in case. Pcp's are certainly the right tool for my job due to being able to have varying power levels for either inside pest birds or small game. I think it's a good idea.