Best value pre war air rifle?

[Geezer]

A Mk11 service might not be cheap, but what starts off as a high quality product will remain as such.

Not trying to derail this, or start an argument. Honestly.

But. The MkII is iconic, famous, loveable, charming, interesting, steampunk, historically important, fascinating. It’s a truly brilliant piece of vintage air rifle. One of the finest.

What it isn’t is a good air rifle.

It’s beautifully made and finished, but the BSA and other (Diana...) BSA copies just perform better. They are a better design.

The fact that there have since the MkII been basically no successful over-lever barrel cocking air rifles tells you something.

I’d absolutely love a MkII, and I feel very affectionate towards them. Every one I get in contact with I pick up and think it’s cool and really nice. But I just don’t want to spend £600 on a nice example that I know will perform on a par with £100 or less of equivalent Diana 27, or £250 of BSA.

Great thing to own, tick. Good investment, tick. Great thing to play with, tick. Good rifle, sorry, no tick.

[mrto]

Not trying to derail this, or start an argument. Honestly.

But. The MkII is iconic, famous, loveable, charming, interesting, steampunk, historically important, fascinating. It’s a truly brilliant piece of vintage air rifle. One of the finest.

What it isn’t is a good air rifle.

It’s beautifully made and finished, but the BSA and other (Diana...) BSA copies just perform better. They are a better design.

The fact that there have since the MkII been basically no successful over-lever barrel cocking air rifles tells you something.

I’d absolutely love a MkII, and I feel very affectionate towards them. Every one I get in contact with I pick up and think it’s cool and really nice. But I just don’t want to spend £600 on a nice example that I know will perform on a par with £100 or less of equivalent Diana 27, or £250 of BSA.

Great thing to own, tick. Good investment, tick. Great thing to play with, tick. Good rifle, sorry, no tick.

Pretty much my sentiments entirely regarding the MK11 Service which is why I also have never bought one.Considering how many there are available other than the much rarer iterations they are overpriced IMO.