On the fence betw Marauder vs FX T12 whisper

[omiran]

I'm a newbie here and am caught-up in the adrenalin of air guns.  I'm on the fence in buying my first serious PCP air gun.  I found out that airgunsofarizona.com has a un-advertised special of $599 for the FX T12 Whisper which is normally $939.  (SWEET DEAL).   I was originally looking on getting the Marauder from Pyramid Air based on their special packaging deals.  

The bottom-line is I want a solid rifle that will last, hold its value, not expensive to maintain and a accurate and powerful air rifle.  The sales guy from airgunsofarizona told me it is like comparing apple and oranges and that the FX is build better and is more accurate and has better FPS and FPE rating than the Marauder.

I'm only interested in the .22 caliber so any help on what to pick would help as I always make very informative decisions and make sure to refer to experts with vasts amount of experience and knowledge on the subject.

I also need to decide which manual pump to get and hate the chinese built products.

Thanks in advance....  

[Gene_SC]

I own an FX Cyclone .22. I would say it is the best small game hunting PCP that is out there. I weighs a bit less than the Marauder. I paid $850.00 4 years ago for the FX. Probably will never get rid of it. But you will get just as much gun out of the Marauder than the FX. Including accuracy and punch. If the Marauder had been selling back then at the price it sellls for now, I would probably never havce bought my FX. That is bottom line.....

[omiran]

Gene,

Thanks for the quick feedback. This is exactly what I wanted to here.  It would be a big investment to get the FX and the accessories are way too expensive.  Marauder accessories are much cheaper.

You definitely help me lean toward the Marauder.  Any input regarding getting a Hill, AirForce or FX pcp pump?

Thanks...

[Gene_SC]

I had a Hill pump enitially but sold it and got a scuba tank or tanks.. If you could afford an FX then do yourself a favor and buy an 80cc, 3000 psi scuba tank. Well worth the invesment.. Look or ask around and you probably can buy a good used one that is up to date.  Just my thoughts on the pump.. Oh! if you buy the pump you and eventually buy a scuba tank then you will lose money on the sale of the pump...

[gamo2hammerli]

Hi omiran, a big welcome to the GTA forum and family.  I  have a FX Cyclone but in .177.....it's one of my favourite air rifles.  I bought it used for about $900.00U.S a little over a year ago.  I use a Hill pump for all 3 of my PCP rifles.  Originally I wanted to buy the .177 FX Whisper T-12...but the Cyclone was available so I got her instead.

I believe the Whisper T-12 do not have an air meter and don't have power adjusting option.  The Marauder have both....I think the power adjustment needs to use a screwdriver.  I've not read any bad things with the FX's.....but the Marauder have some teething pains; Loose cocking bolt, leaking valve and problems with the wood stock.  But Crosman/Benjamin can remedy those problems with an exchange.

I also would've gotten a .177 Marauder instead of a .177 FX Cyclone just because of the huge price difference; $450.00U.S....but at that time the Marauder was not on the market.  Even then, the first few years would've been a testing period for them....while the FX's are established.  I've no complains at all with my FX purchase.  For $600.00U.S for a Whisper T-12.....I would get it over the Marauder.  But that's my opinion.  Good luck with your choice.

[rkr]

For the pumps, Hills and FX are the most popular ones and get good reviews. You can also get rebuild kits for them easily, which can not be said for all pumps. This is quite important as getting your pump overheated seems to blow a seal and require rebuilding. On the other hand, I also heard that you can rebuild most all of the pumps using generic o-ring kits. I'm in the process of selecting pump myself, leaning towards hills at the moment but looking for bargains at the side.

[airgunbliss]

I have a .22 cal. Marauder and an FX SuperSwift. I had accuracy problems with the Maurader, and never could get it to shoot any pellets, except the Crosman pellets well. I am going to have a LW barrel installed in it soon. I bought the FX used and it shoots great with JSB pellets to this day. I did have to re-seal the air tube in the FX. The Marauder is more adjustable, but I never use the power adjuster on the FX anyway. I prefer the Maurader trigger. The stock Marauder is quieter too. The finish on the FX looks better to me. My FX will out shoot my Marauder any day of the week. If I had to choose one, it would be the FX at that price. At full price for the FX, I would probably choose the Marauder. I also have owned both the Hill and, FX pump, and I prefer the Hill.

[noisemedia]

I don't know if you've made up your mind yet but I bought a .22 Marauder a month or so ago and couldn't be more pleased with it's performance. It seems many people have had pellet problems with theirs but I guess I got lucky - so far Ive been able get excellent results with a variety of pellets such as 13 grain JSB RS, the 18 grain JSB Exacts, H&N Barracudas, H&N Crowmags, H&N FTS, Beeman FTS, RWS Meisters, Superdomes, Super H points, Crosman premiers and cheapo Crosman "hunters"  - and the list goes on. Obviously some are better than others - the worst Ive used were the 15.8 JSB's, Beeman Lasers, RWS Hobbys, RWS Superpoints, and H&N hollowpoints.  Overall it seems like the heavier they are the better they shoot - one hole 8-10 shot groups at 25 yards are not uncommon when I pay attention to what Im doing - to me that's awesome accuracy.

Of course that is just my experience...velocities have been great and really the only problem Ive encountered is a slow leak - I contacted Crosman and theyve shipped me a replacement that is actually arriving today - I really hope it handles all these pellet as well as the first one. I cant tell you anything about the FX rifles, Ive never shot them but based on my experience with the Marauder I couldn't ask for a better rifle. I shoot it nearly everyday...it is a $%^&* to pump over and over but I welcome the exercise. So yeah thats my 2 cents...(or more like 10 cents I guess) good luck with your purchase!