yhtomit
Member
Thanks to paying some (gulp-inducing) tuition bills via credit card, I find that I have accumulated a large number of promotional "points" linked to my credit card. However, unlike some cr-card bonus systems, the current iteration of AmEx's system a) has a surprisingly good range of choices, if a bit strange (Hornady dies -- if I needed one in .32 short ) and b) actually lists numerous vendors per items and points out the one with the best price. So, unlike the rip-off products solicited on the flaps of credit card billing statements, there are actually some nice things to get, and I've got about $150 to play with.
(I should note: there were actually several of those Hornady die sets -- just none in any caliber I have current plans to shoot; I'd happily grab 9mm, .223, .38spec or .357 Magnum, or .40 cal. I know that .220 Swift is supposed to be a nice caliber, but I doubt I'll ever own a rifle that fires it. The closest thing they had to a practical-to-me reloading die is .308, because it sure would be nice to have a long-range rifle in .308 one day ... still on my consideration list, I guess.)
I pored over a number of choices, but decided that books can be had much cheaper through half.com, the reloading dies (while they would be perhaps a decent store of value, if well cared for) I could probably get later gently used and be just as happy with 'em, and I have plenty of cleaning supplies and tools, or I'd be really tempted by the Otis Deluxe Set (for cleaning nearly any caliber weapon short of .50MBG).
However, I notice that one of the products offered is an airgun called the Crosman 1377, and decided that a few copies of this might be worth it. (Reviewed here http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/08/1377-another-crosman-classic.html and elsewhere -- so far as I can find, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.)
My purposes for getting a couple of air pistols:
1) indoor plinking fun when the weather's bad, or I just don't want to spend the gas money to get to the range
2) introducing young relatives to the pleasures of (safety conscious) target shooting -- there's a family reunion in August I'd like to take these to. (And that's one reason I'd like to get at least two.)
3) I'm annoyed by patronizing, handwringing attitudes about so-called "war toys," and by the time I expire and am recycled, I'd like my grandkids to inherit a good stock of genuine, old-fashioned, enjoyable toys that killjoys would like them not to have.
I find positive references both on this board and on several sites dedicated to this or other Crosman products, in fact seemingly fanatical support for this gun as being surprisingly accurate, versatile, well-designed, etc.
Therefore, I'm mostly asking for *contrary* advice (better now than later, if I decided to get a few) -- anyone have any trouble with thier 1377? Anything especially better at a similar (50-or-60 dollar) price?
From various things I've been reading, it seems that some people's are still going strong after 15 years, some have "died of old age" after unspecified periods, but I've found no reports of *early* death. If anyone can say, are these maintainable / parts replaceable, such that if it's still around in 50 years, someone could fit in a new seal or valve or whatever parts are likely to tire out? (And what parts should I fret over? )
Thanks for any responses, including suggestions of some other airguns that would fit the purposes listed above; I am really not interested in Olympic-caliber target rifles, or anything that requires CO2 cartridges -- affordable, simple and fun are requirements! I'd like long-term value, but not in the sense of an investment in antiques -- just something that I'd hope will with gentle use last a few decades.
Thanks!
timothy
p.s. I didn't see any subforum specifically for airguns; if there's a better place, I apologize, and ask moderators to move to a smarter place. Thanks!
(I should note: there were actually several of those Hornady die sets -- just none in any caliber I have current plans to shoot; I'd happily grab 9mm, .223, .38spec or .357 Magnum, or .40 cal. I know that .220 Swift is supposed to be a nice caliber, but I doubt I'll ever own a rifle that fires it. The closest thing they had to a practical-to-me reloading die is .308, because it sure would be nice to have a long-range rifle in .308 one day ... still on my consideration list, I guess.)
I pored over a number of choices, but decided that books can be had much cheaper through half.com, the reloading dies (while they would be perhaps a decent store of value, if well cared for) I could probably get later gently used and be just as happy with 'em, and I have plenty of cleaning supplies and tools, or I'd be really tempted by the Otis Deluxe Set (for cleaning nearly any caliber weapon short of .50MBG).
However, I notice that one of the products offered is an airgun called the Crosman 1377, and decided that a few copies of this might be worth it. (Reviewed here http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/08/1377-another-crosman-classic.html and elsewhere -- so far as I can find, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.)
My purposes for getting a couple of air pistols:
1) indoor plinking fun when the weather's bad, or I just don't want to spend the gas money to get to the range
2) introducing young relatives to the pleasures of (safety conscious) target shooting -- there's a family reunion in August I'd like to take these to. (And that's one reason I'd like to get at least two.)
3) I'm annoyed by patronizing, handwringing attitudes about so-called "war toys," and by the time I expire and am recycled, I'd like my grandkids to inherit a good stock of genuine, old-fashioned, enjoyable toys that killjoys would like them not to have.
I find positive references both on this board and on several sites dedicated to this or other Crosman products, in fact seemingly fanatical support for this gun as being surprisingly accurate, versatile, well-designed, etc.
Therefore, I'm mostly asking for *contrary* advice (better now than later, if I decided to get a few) -- anyone have any trouble with thier 1377? Anything especially better at a similar (50-or-60 dollar) price?
From various things I've been reading, it seems that some people's are still going strong after 15 years, some have "died of old age" after unspecified periods, but I've found no reports of *early* death. If anyone can say, are these maintainable / parts replaceable, such that if it's still around in 50 years, someone could fit in a new seal or valve or whatever parts are likely to tire out? (And what parts should I fret over? )
Thanks for any responses, including suggestions of some other airguns that would fit the purposes listed above; I am really not interested in Olympic-caliber target rifles, or anything that requires CO2 cartridges -- affordable, simple and fun are requirements! I'd like long-term value, but not in the sense of an investment in antiques -- just something that I'd hope will with gentle use last a few decades.
Thanks!
timothy
p.s. I didn't see any subforum specifically for airguns; if there's a better place, I apologize, and ask moderators to move to a smarter place. Thanks!