Jarrod,
Okay so here's why I like the QBs...
1) Very inexpensive but not cheap. I.e., well made.
2) Fun to shoot. They can be very accurate and triggers are pretty good and can be made better.
3) Fun to work on! Easy to tune and many ideas for mods.
4) Easy to work on and your hands don't get all greasy like springer work. Also no messing with a compressor. Allen wrenches, screw drivers, o-rings and plumber's silicone grease. If you've got sandpaper and a drill and a file you can pretty much tune one up. Add a couple hundred fps.
5) Parts are readily available
WRT to the Avanti 888 a great JR 10m rifle. Trigger is a bit heavy but buy is that Lothar Walther barrel awesome.
For the same reason I like the QBs, I like the Crosman 2250. Lots and lots of mods. Easy to work on (except that darn ball bearing in the safety) and fun to shoot. Everyone should have a carbine that punches them out .22 at 640 fps. Awesome for a "walk in the woods" and you won't be confused with a madman with an AK47.
The Crosman 1077, well my Mother said if you don't have anything nice to say...
