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Gateway To Product Reviews => Air Gun Reviews => : doc1310 July 02, 2009, 09:41:40 AM
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07-02-09
UPS delivered my new Crosman Nitro .22 today in Digital Cammo from Pyramyd Air Gun Mall.
It came in the normal double box configuration, nothing was broken, everything looked fine, however, I wish the scope had been in a box. I got the 10 for 10 test and the chrony listed the following
694.6
704.3
695.9
707.7
688.7
697.3
689.6
691.6
695.5
692.1
using RWS Meisterk .22 14.0 gr. Pellets. I don't know if those are good numbers or not but I also bought a chrony and I'll post and compare numbers later. I was hoping for around 750 to 800 FPS.
I cleaned the dove tail and installed the scope mount which has a built in scope stop pin which fits very well into the scope stop hole built into the rifle, very well as a matter of fact. I do not think there is any free play what so ever, unlike Gamo rifles.
The included Centerpoint scope is great. I need to buy a few for my other rifles. I took my time installing it and instead of tightening down one side first and then the other, each screw got a quarter turn until all were tight. I began to think that if I tightened one scope mount all the way and then the other, it might cause one end of the scope to be higher....I'll need to check that on my Whisper.
The rubber covering is nice, but I can see where if you use it as a hunting rifle, the covering will become scratched and easily damaged. Mine came out of the box with one already. Hopefully Crosman has already thought about this.
SHOOTING!!!!
It cocks easy!! With scope it weights 8 pounds on my bathroom scale. It shoulders well and feels very balanced . I feel as though I should be able to shoot it off hand well. I'm using Crosman domed .22 pellets @ 14.3 grs. I bought a 650 round box to break in the rifle before I use my Straight Shooters sampler box. I also counted out 100 pellets so I could keep an accurate count of how many I've gone through.
Using a large cardboard sheet with a orange dot I sighted in the rifle. It took 30 pellets to get it close to where I wanted it. I think at 20 meters ( 21 yards ) it was pretty accurate. ( unlike my Whisper :( )
I think it's fairly quiet. The pellets hitting the trap are louder than the rifle report.
At shot 25 the rifle smoked a bit, again, nothing like my Whisper which is still smoking after a 1000 shots. I could smell a little burning lube and the pellets are still grouping well.
At shot 45 the rifle began to have a grinding sound when cocked, but the pellets are still grouping well. After a 100 shots the grinding sound is still there, but has lessened 50%. I called Crosman and talked with a nice young lady who assures me that the rifle is still settling in and to give it awhile. Its so nice to be able to get through to a real person when you think you have a problem with a product. Crosman does it right in this department and has made a fan out of me.
The trigger is nice. After a 120 shots it seems to have stiffen up a bit, maybe catching somewhere but since it's 103* in the shade down here, I'll assume that the lubes need to work in a bit.
As I shot this rifle my first thoughts were, “ This is how my Whisper should have been.†If my Whisper had shot this well to start with, I never would have bought this Crosman Nitro. This Nitro is a great rifle. At this moment, I'm very happy with it. So far it just shoots well and it is a lot of fun.
However, as the temp rose, my grouping was off and instead of chasing the pellets around with the scope, I called it an afternoon. I did noted that when first setting up the rifle and just shooting it to season the barrel the grouping was good, but as the time went by and I tried to score one bull after another, my grouping became worse.....so it's me and my shooting badly due to the heat and not the rifle.
We have one member here that is having a problem with his free Nitro in .177. These gas spring rifles are so powerful that a heavy pellet is called for in my own opinion. My Whisper gas spring seems to be getting better using a 10.5 gr. Pellet in .177. Its not as good as this rifle yet, but I have hope.
So far this a a very good rifle. It doesn't seem to be hold sensitive. I use a padded rest and rest the stock on the pad using the stock screws as a guide. I believe that this rifle would do well with a bi pod.
The reason I'm shooting like this is to take myself out of the shooting picture as much as possible to see just where the rounds are landing. Once I know for certain my scope is on target and my shots are not wandering due to dieseling and such, then I can practice off hand and other shooting positions.
Anyways, so far a very good rifle made in the USA. I think Crosman has a hit on their hands if they can keep up good quality control.
Thanks for listening,
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Paul,
I'm glad you're enjoying that new Nitro, I hope that the gun will break in and become better for you soon.
Anything is better than that Gamo Whisper with Gas RAM!!!!
have fun
Jack
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Dude! Thanks. Thanks for spinning my head on yet another air rifle!
Really though, good review and thanks for posting the pictures. Seems like a real sweet shooter once it breaks in a bit. I just put the scope back on that Lightning XL I've got and zeroing took a while but I've got POI down to half inch groups at 40 yards. Gas rams are AWESOME aren't they?
Thanks again! I'll be over tomorrow to help you shoot it! What am I? An hour from you?
Juss kidding.
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More like 4 hours Matt. I only have 21 yards to shoot but your welcomed to drop by any time I'm not working. Thanks for the nice words.
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Congrats on the new shooter.. Very nice review... I enjoyed it very much.... the only bad thing about your review is that you now have me wanting to order a Nitro for myself and I know if I do the wife will kill me......
JEff
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It seems as if I forgot a few things. The rubber covering does a great job. You get just a solid, but mild thunk when shooting, The rifle is solid, but yet not heavy, well balanced, and feels very good in my hands. The pistol grip is a huge plus which will be a must have in any other rifle purchase. I've tested several other pellet types from a sampler kit from Straight Shooters.com and other than lighter pellets rasing above the POI, this rifle seems to like them all. The grouping isn't all that tight with the light ones, but this rifle is 100% better than my Whisper Gas ram. There is one problem. After shooting this evening, I noted that the digital camo rubber coating rubbed off of one spot due to shooting off a rest. This can not be. I know this is a new product, and as a consumer I accept the fact that I am helping to make the future products better by giving input. I just hope that crosman will do the right thing and give me a new stock if it comes down to it. When you pay 300.00 plus for a new product, you shouldn't just have to eat it because you bought it. I'll be in contact with pyramyd and Crosman to see how this works out.
But so far....This is a great rifle. It ranks up there with my RWS 34 Pro but is a lot more fun to shoot because its not so front heavy. This rifle is an all day shooter for now. I reserve the right to change my mind due to the horrible and ever changing way my Whisper shoots. Good one minute, bad the next. I did have to lower my scope settings this afternoon after the CNPSS shot well all morning. It might be the heat here, or the rifle breaking in, either way. I'll keep you posted, but all evening it shot well.
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How's the cocking action on the Nitro? BB's blog mentioned that the nitrogen will make it easier to cock than other gas rams. How was the cocking effort compared to the crappy Gamo Whisper w/ Gam ram?
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This rifle surprised me that it was so easy to cock, a lot easier than my Whisper gas ram. It's an all day shooter to me.
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I have Crosman Premiers 10.5 gr and Beeman Crow Magnum 8.8 gr pellets arriving very soon (Kodiaks are sold out everywhere!!). I will post back later once I try these heavier pellets out.
doc1310 - 7/2/2009 4:41 PM
We have one member here that is having a problem with his free Nitro in .177. These gas spring rifles are so powerful that a heavy pellet is called for in my own opinion. My Whisper gas spring seems to be getting better using a 10.5 gr. Pellet in .177. Its not as good as this rifle yet, but I have hope.
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This gun looks awsome,great review;I hopes we get them over here in sunny Scotland!
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Well the Brown truck stoped at my house today a brought a nice Nitro 22. in black. I love it when they walk up to the door with a long brown box.My first impression was what in the heck is Crosman doing with the packing? It looked like a cartoon box. I was expecting to find an Elmer Fudd bobble head doll in with the Nitro. I was not impressed at all, I still can't get that out of my head. Once I mounted the scope, (which is a pretty nice one) and got it sighted in the gun was smoking like a 6 litre Ford Power Stroke. The first 25 shots had some redeclous flyers which I know wasn't me, although I was on a nicotine and caffine high and shaking like a dog passing chicken bones. After I got use to the trigger and settled down a little it started grouping pretty well at 15 yards in my basement shooting range. This gun is well balanced (better that my RWS 34) and feels much lighter even though it does weigh 8 lbs. The cocking effort feels light and very smooth. The trigger has a long first stage and only the second stage is adjustable but feels good once ya get use to it. I didn't want to but it down, it felt that good. I'm going to burn up a couple tins of cheap Dasey wad cutters for the break in period. After about 100 rounds it's still deseling but grouping pretty well, at least to my abillities. So far this is one fun gun to shoot and I hope the crazy fliers don't come back. Sorry about my spelling.
Chuckster750800
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Congrats Charlie, glad you join the family and glad that it shoots well for you. I agree it is a fun gun to shoot and feels good in your hands. Keep an eye on the stock and let us know if it begins to peel. Mine has started peeling where it rubs against the rest. I also get a grinding sound or a rubbing type of sound when cocking it, but it still shoots well.
Good luck with yours
Paul
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I have noticed some peeling on the stock already. I thought maybe the gun oil that I wiped the gun down with after shooting caused it but after trying the oil on a small place on the stock nothing happened. The peeling on mine looks like a real thin layer of matt coating of something and after it peels off the stock in just a little shinney and slick. Mine is happening in several spots. I'm going to wate and see what happens further. This is one fun gun to shoot. I don't know if it's just that it's new or what, but I can't lay it down.
Chuckster750800
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Just ordered mine the other day, can't wait to shoot it!!! Airgun Depot has an amazing deal right now.....free shipping and 10% off if you are a new customer so I got mine for $299.00 !!!! Pretty good deal !!
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Real nice deal! I hope it shoots well for you. Mine does!
Regards
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That is a good price. Are you getting the Camo or the black? I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do, I just stocked up about 3000 pellets of different brands and weighs, LOL I'll never shoot all the dang things but it will be fun trying.
Charlie,
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Nice pictures and review!
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I got the .22 CAMO, it just looks so damn cool.....just shipped out yesterday!!! Say bye-bye to the grey squirrels eating all my birdfood.....
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After 20 days this rifle has gotten even better. Even though it seems as if the breech seal is coming apart, the rifle's chrony numbers have increased after breakin and it shoots hard and well. Here are the numbers that I have using mostly StraightShooters sample box and a tin of Benjamin Discovery .22 14.3 gr pellets.
Av = average of shot string
FPE = Foot pounds of Engery
7-20-09
Crosman NPSS .22 Chronograph
RWS Hobby 11.9 gr
Av= 805.1
FPE= 17.1
Beeman Silver Bear 12.65
Av = 851.5
FPE = 20.4
Beeman Laser 13.36
Av = 798.2
FPE = 18.9
Beeman H&N match 13.75
Av = 793.6
FPE = 19.2
RWS Meisterkugelin 13.9
Av = 794.5
FPE = 19.5
Crosman Premier 14.3
Av = 710.4
FPE = 16.0
Benjamin Discovery HP 14.3
Av = 788.4
FPE = 19.7
JSB Express 14.3
Av = 745.8
FPE = 17.7
Crosman Powapell 14.3
Av = 736.5
FPE = 17.7
RWS Superdome 14.5
Av = 778.7
FPE = 18.7
RWS SuperPoint 14.5
Av = 761.6
FPE 18.7
RWS SuperHpoint 14.5
Av = 767.2
FPE = 19.0
Beeman FTS 14.6
Av = 783.9
FPE = 19.9
Beeman FTS Double Gold 14.6
Av = 794.7
FPE = 20.5
Beeman Bearcub 14.8
Av = 732.9
FPE 17.7
Napier Hunter 15.6
Av = 755.9
FPE = 19.8
Beeman Silver Ace 15.74
Av = 742.0
FPE = 19.2
Beeman Silver Sting 15.74
Av = 731.7
FPE = 18.7
JSB Exact 15.9
Av = 712.0
FPE = 17.9
JSB Predators 16.2
Av = 745.1
FPE = 20
Long Range Lead free Missile
Av = 754.4
FPE = 21
Beeman Silver Arrow 17.10 ( only 3 pellets fit at all. )
Av = 701.5
FPE = 18.7
JSB Exact HVY 18.0
Av = 702.2
FPE = 19.7
Eun Jin Wadcutter 20.3 ( only 1 pellet fit. )
Av = 645.3
FPE = 18.8
Beeman Kodiak 21.10
Av = 631.4
FPE = 18.7
Beeman Kodiak Double Gold 21.12
Av = 615.3
FPE = 17.8
I was surprised at the results. I thought that the heavier pellets would have the higher FPE. I was also surprised that pellets that weigh the same had different FPS and different FPE's.
Despite some small problems with the stock peeling and the breech seal. This is a great rifle. One that seems to do all types of shooting well. Crosman is going to fix the small problems, of that I'm sure. My stock should be on the way. This should be a very good hunting rifle. I haven't had the chance yet.
If anyone is on the edge, wondering if they should buy this rife.....YES! There are more positives then negatives at this time. Most of the negatives are cosmetic.
Thanks for looking over my data,
Regards,
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It's good to see that Crosman is holding up their end :) and I hope this shooter will see some hunting time. I've been waiting to see someone with one of the new shooter's do some in the hunt field testing with them. :) Ed
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Congratulations Paul. You have not even got your other one back and you are have bought another new one...:) Watch out Paul the addiction is closing in on you..:) I am sending you and excel sheet for your Whisper with your numbers via emai.
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one thing that bothers me is why did they have to go with the rubber stock coating. i don't see the need for it, just look at the panther 34.
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From what I know, The rubber stock coating helps quiet the rifle. It feels good and grips well. After being broke in, all you hear is a small Pffft! when shooting and feel a solid THUNK of the recoil. The sound of the pellet hitting the bullet trap 21 yards away is louder that the rifle report. Allt he parts work well together to make it quiet. I do wonder if it would be as quiet in a wooden stock! I'm sure some body will try it.
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Hi - Thanks for posting results and observations. I'm trying to decide my next step up in the air gun world and was leaning towards a PCP when I saw the Nitro. Sort of a springer with a less violent spring. My main objective is hunting/plinking. I want to avoid the hard recoil of the springer; don't want scope issues either. Would like to expect reasonable accuracy in the 25 to 50 yard range. Any of you have an opinion comparing the Nitro to a PCP? I don't see myself gearing up with all the extras needed for a PCP (although the multi-shot Marauder is appealing).
Thanks,
Jim
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Had a Theoben Gas-Ram and regret selling it,great consistancy plus it wasn`t affected by temp changes,BUT it still could wreck scopes that were not springer rated.But if you put a Hawke or spring rated Leapers on a gas-ram you will have a very good self contained hunting rig,just put some pellets in your pocket and you are definately good to go!!
Take care
Kenny
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My Nitro is a great rifle. It just keeps getting better all the time. I posted my chrony numbers about a month back after breaking it in and they were great. As an example, Benjamin Discovery pellets at 14.3 gr = 788.4 FPS with 19.7 foot pounds energy ( FPE )
JSB Predators @ 16.2 gr. were 745.1 FPS and 20 FPE that is good for hunting small game. It's easy to cock and carry and shoots well off hand. It's so quiet that your neighbors will never know your shooting it. However, if you use a bullet trap like I do, then that does make noise. Scope wise....mine is a dream. It never slipped or moved a bit. It goes well with this rifle. A PCP rifle is nice and I would never refuse one and might get one someday, but with this Nitro, I don't need another rifle. If this had been my first air gun, and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have bought any others. Mine is that good of a rifle. Crosman did replace my stock and the new one is holding up fine. Check the classifieds, a member was selling his a few months back. I might even buy another one in .177 for grins, but my .22 covers the whole ball park. Lots of luck with your decision. Let me know which way you go.
Regards,
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Thanks fellas for the feedback. I'm pretty sure I'll be placing an order asap for the .22 Nitro. Pyramid includes a tin of pellets but think I'll also get a sampler pack to test different pellet types. Read some other reviews and most seem very positive. Will report back in a few weeks after it comes in and I have a chance to break her in.
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I think you will be very happy with the .22 Nitro. I really like mine, it's smooth cocking, quiet and very accurate. Be patient with it for first 100 to 200 shots because it might produce a flyer from time to time but it will break in and produce great groups after that. Out of the six different pellets I have tried it likes Crosman Premier Domes the best and shoots better than me. It doesn't seem to be very hold sensitive nor is it pellet sensitive but you will find which pellet works best for you after you have tried several different ones. It's one fun gun to shoot.
Charlie,
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THAT IS A NICE RIFLE ..... ENJOY IT / GERALD
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Paul,
Having both, which would you say is the quietest, your Nitro, or your Whisper ????
Paul.
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My Nitro is by far the quietest. Once broken in, all I hear is a pfffft sound. Since I use a bullet stopper metal back stop, it's louder, but if I just aim at game or hay bales, you can't hardly hear it.
hope that helps.
regards,
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Paul,
That's what I was wondering. I think I'll start saving up for a 22 Nitro to use for hunting. Thanks.
Paul.
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From what I have heard the whisper is not a quiet rifle at all. Just look at its loudness rating at Cobra Airguns and PA, it is rated as loud as any other springer in the medium range and that includes most of the non-whisper Gamos . Do you guys remember the video clip that showed somebody dropping a 180 lb wild hog dead without any movement with one pellet from a Gamo air rifle?
I also did not notice the Crosman Nitro to be a quiet or quieter air rifle , I actually found it to be as loud as any air rifle in the same power range so I have to sell it back with a big loss.