PCP First purchase, new or second hand?

[Jesim1]

At your budget I'd be looking for something nicer second hand that rougher but newer

I'd avoid CO2, I'm sure I will upset some people when I say I regard them as for fun plinking and not dispatching vermin, even though I know they can do it, but it's the way I roll

Your distances are not high, so you don't need mega power or accuracy, and although I'm 100% a .177 kind of guy I'd potentially be looking at .22 for your intended use.

I'd definitely look at getting an air cylinder - your not getting any younger by the sounds of it, and making it easier for yourself is not a crime, in the long term you would probably get one eventually anyway

There are plenty of us fairly local to you, and there is an excellent outdoor shooting club at: http://www.airgunshooter.co.uk/page4.html - and a few of us are members there, so it's something to consider if you don't just want to shoot rats and fancy a bit of banter and a coffee

Above all, do what your doing now, ask for advice if your not 100% sure, and with a bit of care you will get a decent gun sorted

James

[alexall]

I'd recommend buy a decent checked out secondhand for 3 reasons. Its cheaper (to free your budget for other things such as a air tank), its already sorted/run in from little gremlins as a manufacturer's warranty in itself is not bug free, and importantly, as you are new to pcp, sometimes it takes a few ownership to really find a gun fitting your your needs.

Buying sensibly at secondhand prices means you can always sell it on for the same money with little to no loss. The reason why this is important is that all the gun recommendations are great but guns are very personally from how it looks, handle and feel. and work. What is accurate for one is not accurate enough for another. What is big for one is small for another.

I have 'treated' myself to a few new guns before and they nearly all have to go back. Yes there is the 'safety' of a warranty but that in itself will dent your confidence in the equipment.

Go down to your local club. Nearly all club members are most sociable and will be happy to let you have a go with their guns.

[Gamocfx]

Thanks for this Guys, certainly a lot to think about that I had not considered before... especially buying second hand or even chinese which would indeed widen the possibilities.
As for the club at Blackburn/Feniscowles I used to be a member many many years ago! It was a great easy going place run by a couple of old veterans though I think sadly now they are no longer with us. I am lucky in that I can plink away at home over 10 metres or 15 if I get the house to myself so have not looked at a club for a long time.
Thanks again Guys, lots to think about here, may have a beer and peruse Macovoy guns second hand section! (no C02 and .22 I think!).

[Alakar]

Thanks for this Guys, certainly a lot to think about that I had not considered before... especially buying second hand or even chinese which would indeed widen the possibilities.
As for the club at Blackburn/Feniscowles I used to be a member many many years ago! It was a great easy going place run by a couple of old veterans though I think sadly now they are no longer with us. I am lucky in that I can plink away at home over 10 metres or 15 if I get the house to myself so have not looked at a club for a long time.
Thanks again Guys, lots to think about here, may have a beer and peruse Macovoy guns second hand section! (no C02 and .22 I think!).

Not exactly run by Veterans but Jack was a legend .
If you are who I think you are , and we had a sadly departed mutual friend called Lee, then pop up to the club again sometime for a catch up .
All the best
Alan .