Ruger Blackhawk

6/4/18: Short update - this is a very powerful springer - I have shot several rabbits around 30 yards, and the pellets have gone clear through the critters, even through shoulder muscles. I am not a 'professional' when it comes to air guns, but I find this one a superior value! I had a Beeman Sportsman for the past 15 years that I was reasonably happy with - killed many hundreds of squirrels with it in my back yard trying to keep the nasty things out of my attic. (I had both nut and fruit trees in the yard, so the danged things were constantly mobbing me - tree rats are very cute and GREAT eating, but they do a LOT of damage when they move into the house!) That Beeman springer would generally hold about 1" groups at 15 yards, but the internal piston seals got hard and started breaking up recently, so I was looking for a replacement. I tried a new Beeman Sportsman, and it was pure garbage - I will never buy another of that brand. This Ruger/Umarex has surpassed all my expectations. I have fired several hundred rounds through it in the past few days, and it will generally hold 1/2" or less groups at 15 yards. It holds the same point of aim out at 25 yards, but the groups open up to about an inch, or maybe a bit more (I really have not shot too much at that longer range). I am using bulk Crosman lead wad-cutter "Competition" pellets (the cheapest ones I could find on Amazon), and the results are so good I feel no need to test any others. I love the safely placement and operation - FAR superior to the garbage Beeman makes; it is both easy to reach and take off, as well as put back on if I decide not to take the shot. And the trigger on this Ruger is just superb. It is adjustable, but it has been so smooth and perfect right out of the box that I have not made any changes. It is still kind of early for me to pass judgement on the scope, but it seems pretty good for one just included with a sub-$100 gun. It has surprising heft, which indicates to me it may be of decent quality, and it does seem to hold point of aim after it is adjusted. The only negative so far is that it SEEMED to be a bit erratic on the click adjustments - sometimes moving the POI far too much with only a click or two. But it is still possible that what I was seeing was simply my poor shooting. After I got it all sighted in, I have been loath to start screwing with it to re-test the adjustments. I have not checked the velocity yet with my chronograph, but frankly, everything else about this gun seems so nice that I do not really care if it fully meets the specs for velocity or not. Cannot believe this was less than $100! One last comment on accuracy that has nothing to do with this specific gun - I found that I cannot use a full bench rest stand to test it (for the same reason you cannot use a normal scope on an air gun). The forward "recoil" of the mechanism causes the gun to jump in the cradle, which results in vertical strings (I had never tried this rest with an air gun before, so the results initially surprised me). Only after I started shouldering the gun and just letting the forearm rest on the front cradle did I start getting really accurate results.

This is my first air rifle, so I can only compare it to other firearms I own, including a Benjamin air pistol, several .22s and other higher powered handguns. As my title indicates, it amazes me that for under a "C note," delivered, such quality and features can be obtained. Frankly, it's hard to imagine how the numerous folks in the money chain, from the manufacturer, international shipper, importer, U.S. distributor, retailer, and finally, UPS to my house. How can it be done? I have to imagine that "China Incorporated" must be subsidizing so much of their manufacturing base. I remember when it was that way with Japanese products, but now they're making up for it; not much cheep from Japan these days. As much as I hate supporting the Chicoms I fall into their trap from time to time, but go out of my way to purchase from the free world when a good alternative is available. Anyway, down to the product. This rifle is very solidly built, has abundant power and so far seems to be quite accurate. I've only shot it in my basement at 15 yards and it holds good groups. Until it warms up a bit and I get a chance to take it outside will I be able to provide more information about accuracy and durability. However, this thing is well built, tolerances and materials seem to be excellent, and it's more overall than I expected. As others have indicated, this is a heavy rifle and a bit loud, at least when not yet broken in. I also suspect heavier bullets (subsonic) might quiet things down a bit. As the opportunity presents, I'll update my finding. I just mounted the scope, so I can't honestly provide a review on it, but it seems to be adequate for what I need, if it holds up okay. **************************************************************************************************** Update: After much frustration with not being able to hold a decent group, and the poor scope mount, I sent it back. Cudos to Amazon for their punctual rebate and ease of return. I didn't give up on finding a decent air rifle and ordered the Benjamin Trail NP synthetic, and am extremely happy. It grouped within 1/2" (at 10 meters) right out of the box, and the scope was so much better. After a couple hundred rounds, it's grouping down to about 1/4". It's twice the money, but well worth it.