Multi-Pump Air Guns

Crosman Classic 2100 image from Crosman.com

Benjamin, Sheridan, Crosman, and Daisy multi-pump air guns were at one time about the only American made air guns with enough power to take small game.  Most of these guns reach max power with 8 to 10 pumps. These pump-up pneumatics have several advantages, but equal or greater disadvantages.  Note: We're not including the less powerful single pump guns or the pre-charged pneumatics which can be used with a separate hand pump to fill their air tank.

The Good: 

• Reasonably good power in a light weight and compact package. In .177 caliber with max pumps the rifles typically give 600 to 800 fps or more. Some pistols shoot well over 500 fps.
• For hunting they can be pumped up in advance and carried ready to fire one shot.
• Decent accuracy, especial when pumped to the same level for each shot.
• Very little recoil or vibration so they don't wreck scopes like spring-air guns can.
• Some cost a little less than other gun types of similar power and accuracy.
• Lower power, noise, and effort is available with less than the max pump strokes.

The Bad:

• When fully pumped up these guns can have a fairly loud Pop! and they seldom have any noise suppression available.
• Reloading and cycling the pump lever multiple times creates considerable noise and movement which will often alert any nearby wildlife.
• Second shot opportunities on game are less common than with some other air gun types.

The Ugly:

• Pumping, Pumping, Pumping... unless you enjoy the exercise it's soon no fun.