I have an HW45 that's over 20 years old, it's had dozens of tins of pellets through it, the odd drop of oil on the spring and a couple of barrel seals, it still develops 5.5Ft/Lbs
There's no reason a well looked after single stroke shouldn't last as long with the odd drop of the right oil and a new O ring now & then.
Air rifles - Oh Yes!
I have two legal limit single stroke rifles - a JB1 Titan and a Parker Hale Dragon plus a Sharp Innova multi-pump.
FX and Webley both claim to be about to release new SSP rifles but delivery dates keep slipping
Noise levels are similar, pneumatics produce more muzzle crack, springers produce loads of thump & twang as the piston stops.
Why not come along to the Redhill Revolvers/UBC shoot at Leicester and have a go with a few - kind of a try-before-you-buy, it could save you buying & selling several pistols to find what suits you, there again, trying Cookie's collection left me with the bug too - probably over 20 including a few projects & restorations
Regards,
Nick