Welcome new members!

Hi, I'm Grant. New to air guns. Have been a firearm owner / shooter / hunter - in the distant past.
(this is my second post !!   I poked my nose into the thread regarding conversion from spring powered air rifles - to gas ram power).

Very recently, I have been reading, and reading lots about various air rifles, and watching loads of Youtube videos as well. I don't own an air gun yet, but intend to buy one soon. I had a firearms license a long time ago, but let it lapse, and don't wish to bother getting another one. I'm not THAT interested any more.

From my reading, I have pretty much decided that a gas ram air rifle is a better option for accuracy, less recoil, and for being quiet.
However, I have been thinking, if I could get a reasonably priced springer (Hatsan's look to be reasonably priced ?) put a grunty air ram in it, and screw a silencer on the front end, I would have a reasonable possum slayer.
Just a thought.

The other options I have been considering is buying a nice gas ram rifle from USA, as the prices are a lot cheaper - from my Internet exploring any way, and the variety seems to be pretty good from places like the Airgundepot.
BUT  !!!!   what is the story on importing an air rifle ? What is needed ? Is an import cert. from the Police needed, and how hard are they to obtain ?
I think I read that customs duty is 15% gst, and import fees. That's to be expected and factored in to any possible purchase.
Has anyone had any experience with importing air rifles into N.Z., and the process to do so ?
Thanks.

I've covered a bit of ground for my second post !!  I'll shut up now   ;-))

Cheers,
Grant.

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah I am still reading about various rifles, and watching video reviews. I take your advice on using .22
Which gas piston Crosman rifle are you using ?  As I mentioned, I want accuracy, and VERY QUIET !! I don't want to spook the neighbours !!
I've been looking at reviews of various gas / nitro piston rifles on Airgundepot and Pyramydair, and there are a few rifles that sound like they could be good. The main issue with reading any of the specs on the guns I'm interested in, is 'likely' BS manufacturer fps figures they put up. I am aware they quote for light weight alloy pellets, but even they seem to be exaggerated . . . 

Do you know anything about XISICO air rifles ?  Just that a springer they have - the XS28M - sounds like quite a good bit of gear. Its apparently a clone of a RWS 350 Magnum .177 Some reviews of these XISICO rifles seem to be pretty positive.

I prefer to go the gas piston way, and would go ahead and buy one from the USA, if I knew what the process was with importing an air rifle - regarding the Police and Customs. Do you know the rules ?

If I have to buy locally, I'm not sure what to get. I have seen a Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk .22 in a local sporting goods store for $499. Young's advertise that rifle for $489. I thought that wasn't too bad, but I don't know a lot about them. They claim 950 FPS in .22 - but I doubt that would be even close with medium / heavy weight led pellets. Do you know anything about them ?

Cheers,
Grant.

That sounds like a pretty good deal for your Benjamin, and 750fps a good result - for dealing to possums.

I am intending to visit Young's later this week, so will see what they have got.

I quite like the specs of this Benjamin:

http://www.airgundepot.com/benjamin-trail-xl1100-air-rifle.html

The price wouldn't be too bad. Works out to be about NZ$468 for the rifle and shipping, and then the gst and customs fees which I worked out to be $109 - so that means it would cost NZ$577 all up.
Maybe not too bad for an "advertised" 1100 fps .22 gas piston model ?

Another one that interests me . . . and is quite a lot cheaper:

http://www.airgundepot.com/crosman-nitro-venom-dusk-air-rifle-22.html

It works out to be NZ$370 including shipping and all customs fees. At Young's they are currently $489 so that's a $120 saving if buying from airgundepot instead of Young's. However, I like to buy local when I can, so will see what they have.

I definitely like the idea of a .22 gas piston rifle. I'm going to head that way. I can't find any reason NOT to buy a gas piston model. Are there any ?


Edited by Grantrow - 12 Oct 2013 at 7:40pm

I replaced the trigger, stock, and fitted a new scope. Stripped it down and gave it a good clean. and fitted a new seal.