where to start?

[tomgriffin]

I have always wanted to collect airguns, but never known where to start?

Any ideas on where to start, should i collect old guns or start a collection of todays guns?......

cheers.....tom griffin

[I. J.]

Just visit all your local airgun shops on a regular basis with a fat wallet. Some gun will jump out at you and say "Take me home!"
Well, thats what happens to me.

Honestly I wouldn't know where to start collecting these days. A few years ago, when I started collecting seriously, you could pick up as new BSFs for £40. I did! Now, anything with age or character has an expensive price ticket attached.

ATB
Ian

[tomgriffin]

Just visit all your local airgun shops on a regular basis with a fat wallet. Some gun will jump out at you and say "Take me home!"
Well, thats what happens to me.

Honestly I wouldn't know where to start collecting these days. A few years ago, when I started collecting seriously, you could pick up as new BSFs for £40. I did! Now, anything with age or character has an expensive price ticket attached.

ATB
Ian

Cheers for your reply mate

What about pellets?.......if i purchased a tin of each pellet available now, then never touched them for 20-30 years, would they really be that collectable?

I like the look of the merlyn (walnut) and the prestige but the are mega money to me at the moment

[I. J.]

Cheers for your reply mate

What about pellets?.......if i purchased a tin of each pellet available now, then never touched them for 20-30 years, would they really be that collectable?

I would suspect so looking on that popular auction site.

I was once with Dennis Hillier doing an arms fair in London. He left his stall and returned a few minutes later beaming from ear to ear clutching 10 very old tins of Eley Wasp pellets. He nearly had pups when I started to open one as they were worth far more un-opened.

I think the Merlyn is an expensive way to start collecting.

ATB
Ian

[tomgriffin]

I think the Merlyn is an expensive way to start collecting.

I know it is rather expensive isnt it , but this will be my next gun anyway , but after the merlyn i was thinking of an AA s310 as they are getting harder to find, or seem to be

But i think i will start with the pellet idea as i think it may be the cheaper option

[I. J.]

A couple of thought to ponder on.

What condition will the steel air chamber be like on a modern pcp in 50 years time?
Will any future testing legislation make them restrictive to own?
Could you get the batteries?

ATB
Ian

[tomgriffin]

A couple of thought to ponder on.

What condition will the steel air chamber be like on a modern pcp in 50 years time?

If it was well cleaned after every use and stored in a case it would be alright, wouldnt it?......Anyway im sure in a few years manufacturers will be using some corrosion resistant material

Will any future testing legislation make them restrictive to own?

Looks like a springer is a better option

Could you get the batteries?

Dont be so silly......i wouldnt buy any electric rifle, unless i reall wanted one

[I. J.]

I was thinking more of internal corrosion of a pcps steel air chamber - but then again Im a born worrier.

Maybe springers IS the way to go. I went for German rifles including a full set of '35s, a full set of BSA S types and Sharp pump up rifles amongst other things.

ATB
Ian

[tomgriffin]

I was thinking more of internal corrosion of a pcps steel air chamber - but then again Im a born worrier.

Maybe springers IS the way to go.

Your probably right about springers being the way to go in terms of collecting, but i prefer shooting pcp's

I think i will start off with a few tins of pellets (definately) and possibly gun oil tins?

then if funds permit move onto springers or pcp's

cheers for your help mate

[I. J.]

'Airgun Accessories' ? Now THATS a thought. I recently saw some of the old Webley badges (round, orange, target shaped - you used to get them free with tokens in their pellet tins) go on 'that there' site for £40! I used to have lots but threw them all away.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose to collect.

ATB
Ian

[Troubledshooter]

'Airgun Accessories' ? Now THATS a thought. I recently saw some of the old Webley badges (round, orange, target shaped - you used to get them free with tokens in their pellet tins) go on 'that there' site for £40! I used to have lots but threw them all away.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose to collect.

ATB
Ian

Wasn't that a silly thing to do.

[I. J.]

Wasn't that a silly thing to do.

Do we have a 'crying smilie?'

I have learnt since.

ATB
Ian

[ikarma70]

the hw35 is good,pick some up at about £90.
the webley pistols are good with many versions to acquire..any brum made webleys would be a nice start.

[tomgriffin]

the hw35 is good,pick some up at about £90.
the webley pistols are good with many versions to acquire..any brum made webleys would be a nice start.

Cheers mate,i think im going to focus on pellets untill i build up a good collection, then i will move on to other things like pistols and springers (probably)

[Jerry Cornelius]

It depends why you are collecting as well. I deny being a collector. Its just that when Webley went tits up I thought I had better have a Tempest for old times sake. That started it. Then someone was selling a BSA 240 and it seemed rude not too. Then there was a Jumbo and I just liked the look of it. Then an original model 6 because it was clever.....and so on. Last was a Crosman 600 (but that is more fun than Rachel Stevens in her underwear in an Aston Martin so who needs an excuse)

Buy something you like at a price you can afford and you will not go wrong, that's my advice.

Also pistols are easier to hide from the missus than rifles (or Rachel Stevens )