Crosman F4?

[Howland937]

I think that's what it is anyway. Picked up for $30 at a yard sale this afternoon, and grabbed some .177 pellets this evening, but haven't shot it yet. Trying to figure out who had the bright idea to mount the scope with the strings for the lense covers under the ring caps. Never seen that before. Not an air rifle aficionado but I know it's no RWS. Anyone know anything about these? Hope I didn't get burned too badly.

 

[Septicdeath]

The F4 is a Walmart exclusive gun. They cost $83 new. Made crossman for Walmart on Chinese B19 platform I believe.
Here are the specs. You will not get the fsp using lead pellets. The gun specs are tested will alloy pellets. I would expect around 800 fps or so to be realistic.

CALIBER .177
POWERPLANT Nitro Piston
LEAD PELLET VELOCITY Up to 1000 fps
ALLOY PELLET VELOCITY Up to 1200 fps
ACTION Break Barrel
LENGTH 43.5 in
PRODUCT WEIGHT 6 lbs
BARREL MATERIAL Steel
BARREL TYPE Rifled/Overmolded
FPE 18
MATERIAL Synthetic
MOUNTING RAIL Dovetail
TRIGGER Two Stage
STOCK STYLE New Design
STOCK MATERIAL Synthetic

 

[Howland937]

I just picked up some cheapie lead pellets to try the rifle out. 800fps wouldn't bother me if it has some degree of accuracy. Mostly just wanting a backyard gun for small pests that's quieter than a .22. I've tried the .22 shorts, and while they're quiet there's no accuracy in my guns.

 

[LiveLife]

Crosman F4 ... $30 at a yard sale

Anyone know anything about these? Hope I didn't get burned too badly.

You did good.

When wife wanted me to get a pellet rifle to take care of rat problem in the pole barn where her chickens were kept and to protect from predators when chickens were free range foraging, I got a Walmart F4 based on reviews that it shot better than many other cheap "entry level" pellet rifles.

And as many reported, accuracy was dependent on pellets used. I tested several different brand/profile pellets and got smallest groups with Crosman Domed HP pellets and got around 2" groups at 25 yards. To maintain optimal performance (pressure), don't forget to lube the cup.

After doing some more research, I ended up buying Beeman Kodiak X2 with .177/.22 barrels and Swiss Arms TG1. Beeman with .177 barrel will produce 1.5"-2" groups at 25 yards and 3"-4" groups at 50 yards but louder than Crosman F4. (FWIW, I tested the .22 barrel but groups were larger and didn't shoot as flat as .177 barrel).

If you want more power and even greater accuracy, Swiss Arms TG1 will do it but with very loud crack of 10/22 (Yeah, those pellets are really zipping out of SA barrel )

If you want quieter plinker, Crosman Legacy 1000 BB/pellet combo (Same barrel as Crosman 2100) and with BB (800 fps) will produce minute of soda can at 25 yards with 4-5 pumps and minute of 2 liter bottles at 40 yards with 6-8 pumps. (At 25 yards, 6-8 pumps will penetrate soup cans)

 

[Howland937]

I just shot this F4 with the cheap, domed 7.4gr Crosman pellets I picked up at Walmart. It's windy, so I didn't bother getting a rest out to check accuracy. Mostly just wanted to check function, so only shot at about 15feet. Function seemed fine. I do need to pick up some oil/lube for it since it appears nobody's done much of any maintenance or cleaning.
I was somewhat pleased to find that it entirely penetrated the piece of 3/4" OSB I had used to hang a target on. Wasn't sure that it would.

 

[LiveLife]

I do need to pick up some oil/lube

DO NOT use regular oil/lube for airgun chamber cup.

Use only silicone oil (I bought mine at Walmart for a few dollars) - https://www.amazon.com/Umarex-RWS-Air-Chamber-Lube/dp/B07YBV616Q

I was somewhat pleased to find that it entirely penetrated the piece of 3/4" OSB I had used to hang a target on. Wasn't sure that it would.

I quickly abandoned using OSB/plywood as pellets destroyed them.

Instead, I bought 2" wide steel plates from Home Depot and point cut the free hardwood pellet pieces from back of Home Depot and drilled screw holes to mount them.

I then hammered the stakes angled forward to deflect pellets into the ground and if I miss, the pellets still go into the ground (But once the scope is zeroed, hard to miss the 2" plates at 25 yards but I have 2-3 hammered next to each other for 4"-6" wide targets). Best part? I spray the steel plates with $1 white spray paint from Walmart for dry/wet shooting, even in the rain as black impact marks are easy to see against the white waterproof background.

Fun, fun, fun.

 

[Ernie Bass]

Congrats on you first Air Rifle. Walmart has sold Chinese variants of the Chinese B series for so many years. Basically all the same. My first Air Rifle many years ago was a Chinese Quest. They are nice air rifles for the First time owner. However, you will notice down the road that they become very "Twangy" which means a lot of loose handling and vibrations. You can break them down and place a new spring and hone all the spurs etc of which there are many. Or, buy that time, be ready to move up to better quality. Link the Diana MDL 34 etc.
Be very very careful with oiling. DO NOT use too much oil if any other than than the breech seal and some grease for the cocking are.
Welcome to the world of Airguns!

PS do not get into the idea that Power, means better. Cheap air rifles will always promote this on their boxes in order to see to the ignorant masses of Air Rifles.

You got a good deal, I would also use this gun to learn how to tune a break barrel rifle.

 

[Septicdeath]

You do not need to lube the cup. It's a terrible idea! Even with chamber oil. This will cause the gun to diesel. And yes Silicone Chamber oil does diesel. Your accuracy will suffer. And some of the oil will work into the port. To much oil in a Springer or gas ram is asking for problems.

When I rebuild a gun I use as little lubrication as possible. And only use Chamber oil after a couple thousand shots. And then its only 1 or 2 tiny drops down the port.

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2012/02/how-to-lubricate-your-spring-piston-airgun/

 

[LiveLife]

I agree with not using too much oil but this is from the subject matter experts - https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/03/airgun-lubes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#:~:text=Lubricating an airgun is necessary,is not a good idea.

And they mirror what I recommended to the OP.

"Lubricating an airgun is necessary ... Use silicone oil"​

 

[Howland937]

Welcome to the world of Airguns!

Thanks. Aside from my kid's Red Rider, the only other air rifle I'd handled extensively was the old 760 I had as a kid. My dad has a couple of the RWS models. Nice wood stocks, crazy accurate, and like $500 a pop. I wasn't really in the market, but figure for the $30 asking price, it was worth taking a chance on.
The wheels didn't really start to turn until I realized there was an area on THR specifically for air guns. Now, if it's remotely accurate, I can see a whole bunch of benefits to owning one...which will probably result in my owning a better one eventually.

 

[Septicdeath]

Yes airguns need lubrication. But you told him to oil the cup of the pellets. There is absolutely no need for this.the only thing it will do is cause dieseling and decrease accuracy. The excess oil going into the port will eventually destroy the seals. I have been shooting Springer's for many years. Have more than I can count. Tune and do total restores. Less it always best.

NOT LUBING PELLETS IN MY GUNS. its unnecessary.

 

[LiveLife]

But you told him to oil the cup of the pellets

Oops, I meant the seal ring for break barrel pellet rifles.

Seal cup was for multi-pump BB/pellet combo Legacy 1000.

Sorry.

Silicone oil still applicable and use as needed, not too much.