I agree that Aguila Colibri ammo would be great for this, both quieter than an airgun and safer, but good luck finding any. The Super Colibri are more plentiful, a little more power but imo much louder. Then CB are imo way louder.
Most springer airguns are made in china, which is why you get all the funky reviews since the quality is low the accuracy of each gun is a roll of the dice, maybe even fixed dice. That R1 is an outstanding gun, a Mercedes SL of break barrels. Not sure what your problem is with it but it doesn't sound normal to me, the eye relief that is. I'm guessing either the wrong type of scope, or the gun broke the scope which happens a lot because the gun literally hammers the scope with a high G shock.
The R1 should be accurate enough that you can make brain shots at 50 to maybe 100'.
If in 177 then I suggest you get H&N Crow Magnum pellets, which are hollow points that work, key word "work". Any other hollow point is a waste in that gun imo. If not hollow point, which are great for small things, then JSB 10.34 or 13.43gr, H&N Barracuda or Crosman Premier Magnum/Heavy, all of which are round nose and heavier than most at 10+grs.
Yes you can leave the gun cocked for as long as you want, but if it's not your gun then I'd say no just in case. It's tough when you borrow something, especially something expensive that's prone to accidents, like breaking scopes, getting dropped, dents/scratches from improper shooting, internal damage from say shooting it w/o a pellet, allowing the barrel to slam closed etc.
The guns are sensitive to hold and anything touching them, so no resting it on the window sill! Rest gun in your hand and your forearm on the window sill, or at least use your hand between them. Also try to hold the gun in the same position on your shoulder with the same tension and grip. Most people say to hold the gun loose, but really that's just a short and easy way to say to expalin to noobs. The truth is you should simply hold it the same way each time. Like if you have a standard natural hold for a 22LR, then use that, and sight it in with that hold, the pellet you plan on using, and the distance the offenders are at. A more detailed explanation is, unlike a firearm or other kinds of airguns, the gun moves before the pellet exits. Picture hitting a 22LR on the butt with a hammer to fire it, as long as you hold the gun and hit it the same way each time it'll likely be accurte. So if you hold said springer different, or let it rest on the sill etc, then it'll move differently and be pointed in a diff direction at the moment the pellet exits. Pita yes, but it's doable with a little practice.
That R1, which is a Weihrauch HW80, is rather expensive. Airguns Of Arizona show it ~$600? Most any gun you pay less for will suffer in quality or power. I'd consider the HW95 which is on sale for 315. It's basically a smaller version of the R1 shooting ~100fps less. It makes about 13.5 to 14ftlbs power. The R1 maybe 18-20? So you get the quality at half $ but lose that power. Still a squirrel killer imo, but that's up to you. Then add ~$100 for a scope than can survive on it.
If you want a good starter gun for cheap to try, I'd get a referb from Airgun Depot. They have stuff like a Ruger Blackhawk for ~$70. That gun is a cheap chinese copy of a Diana 34, but an excellent choice if unwilling to buy quality.
A gun like a Benjamin Regal is similar in quality but much nicer looking, nicer to shoot, has a gas spring and suppressor like the NP2, but like an NP2 or the Ruger there's no guarantee in accuracy.
If you were eyeing the NP2 (Steel Eagle) then I'd seriously consider the Benjamin Phoenix instead. Same powerplant and barrel w/o the name and a couple frills for ~$70 less. If I got an NP2 I'd only get .22 since the gun works better in that.
The Hatsan 87 and 95 are certainly options. Not German quality but above chinese. They offer them in gas spring and the 87 (QE Vortex) with gas and a suppressor. Not bad for $200.
Diana has the 34 and 350, but rather expensive and lower quality than Weihrauch, but you can sometimes catch referbs on sale at Airgun Depot, which is the only way I pay for them.
If you're into it you can improve the guns by fixing the flaws, so if you have a Diana or lesser gun you can, and imo should, take it apart and work on it. Not required, just what I do, and I can explain in detail if needed. You can improve accuracy and reduce noise, specifically the coil spring guns.
Also, ignore the velocity and power claims of chinese guns like the Ruger or Crosman/Benjamin and others, they tend to stretch the truth. They typically shoot regular pellets 200-250fps less than the big number which is a good gun with light pellets.
Plus has 10 shot magazine and is as fast as you can work the bolt for about three mags worth of shooting before it needs pumped up again.
