springer vs. gas ram

[ray1377]

This question is for all your fellows who have owned "springer" air rifles in the past and shot them alot.
And now you own a new NPSS gas ram air rifle.
How does the NPSS gun shoot compared to the spring gun?
Is the NPSS gun more or less hold sensitive than the spring gun?
Is it easier to cock and shoot the NPSS gun?
Are you able to hit better with the NPSS gun?
Thanks Ray

[LongIslandArcher]

Springs tend to break if you should dry-fire the gun; shoot too-light or too-heavy a pellet through the gun; will have spring torque and a harsh double-recoil upon firing.  

Gas Ram (and not necessarily Crosman's Nitro Piston gas rams), have no spring torque, double-recoil and is less fussy about pellet weights.  The gun is also a lot calmer upon firing.

Cocking efforts between springs and gas rams are about the same, except in the case of the Nitro Piston and the Theoben gas rams, which have less cocking effort.  I'm not sure about hold sensitivity between spring and gas ram guns because I've always supported the forestock with an open hand.

[ray1377]

thats good.
anybody else?
Ray

[airiscool]

My Whisper went from twang and torque to just solid thump after I installed an Air Venturi gas ram. Hold sensativity is less now, and it likes any of the Exact Jumbo pellets from the light Jumbo RS 13.4gr to the Jumbo Heavy at 18.2 gr.

I've read on here that a good tune will also take care of alot of that twang and torque, but you still have to worry about pellet weight and not leaving the spring cocked for long lengths of time.  Since I use them for hunting, I didn't want to wonder if leaving the gun cocked for long periods would damage the spring. Or, have to fire it to unload it if the hunting comes up empty.  It's not uncommon that I'll leave the gun cocked and loaded for days waiting for a Critter to show up. Hasn't hurt it in the least.

Same for my  Trail XL, but with twice the power. It's  cocked/loaded for two days now since I had a Starlings shooting session, waiting for the next one to show up, and I don't have to worry if a spring is taking on a shorter set.

One other thing to think about. Since Crosman has invested in so many gas ram models in the past year, I guess they think gas rams are a good idea too.

Paul.

[CharlieDaTuna]

Gas rams do still have a double recoil. The action and reaction of a gas ram when the trigger is pulled is still the same as a springer.

[Gene_SC]

Ray, you have a good question there. The NPSS is the first gass ram that I have shot that comes the closest to a good spring guntune. Like Bob saysgas rams built gunsstill have a double recoil and as mechanics will dictate acts the same as a springer when the trigger is pulled.

I have to say that I have springers that are much more docile than my 2 gas ram guns. Even the overall shooting cycle's are much nicer. I give the Crosman gas ram guns praise because they have gone further in the development of their new gas ram models.

As far as durability goes, one cannot speculate at this time on the longevity of the gas ram itself yet. Springer's on the other hand have been around for decades. So how long will a gas ram last is still a question. But a spring may cost you $20.00 at the most to replace compared to a $100.00 gas ram at this time.

I think that the gas rams built guns are just as pellet picky as any springer is. The accuracy of both depends on the guy behind the scope..

I will still buy springers in my future. I love what guns I have finally ended up with and will continue to look at springers and buy them as I have.

[clip]

What I like about the Crosman NPSS 177 I just purchased is that I don't have to be concerned with it taking a "set". By that I mean, I don't have to fire it immediately after cocking. If my target moves away before the shot, I can wait for the next one no matter how long that may be. I also have more descretion in pellet weights.  I can't do either of these with a springer. I DO find this NPSS is hold-sensitive, however. I have to pull it to my shoulder tightly with a firm hold on the forearm or accuracy suffers. Having said that, I find the cocking force on the NPSS is much easier than on any of my un-tuned springers making it a pleasure to shoot.  In my opinion, this system is an improvement over the springers.

[clip]

Well said, Gene! I, too, love the springers that I have. I won't throw any of em under the bus in favor of the gas ram. I'll still be shooting my springers as long as I am able.

[ray1377]

So it sounds like to me that a gas ram is almost identical to a springer with the only difference being the actual powerplant in the rifle???
Same double whammy when you pull the trigger.
Maybe just less spring torque?
Well thats good news and bad news for me.
Good news because of all the benefits that a gas ram has to offer.
Bad news because now I "STILL" have to learn how to shoot a springer!!!!! HA HA HA HA
There's no easy way to anything.
Ray

[Gene_SC]

Yes a good tune eliminates most all the twang and twist With the air venturi you still have to worry about pellet weight. The gas rams you do not. I mean a gas ram you can use any pellet weight as long as it is not a light pellet. That will take out your seal for sure over time.

[chortdraw]

Being this is my first experience with a gas ram I have found the Crosman is as picky about hold as any of my springers but the recoil seems to be a bit quicker. Had a hard time getting use to it at first but after about 300 more pellets it seems to be settling down and is now shooting fairly good groups. Now to test a few more pellet weights and see what it really likes. It doesn't seem to get along with the Predators very well and that is what I wanted to use for hunting. The gun has gotten quieter as more rounds are shot through it. It was quiet to start with but is getting better all the time. I think I am going to really enjoy this NPSS.