I've been Hijacking some other members threads by rambling, so I've found the proper forum this topic:
I'm a little financially limited (aren't we all) and I bought a (barely) used NP XL 1100 for hunting pests from anther forum member (excellent transaction). I am very happy that I have found this forum, and since my return to air guns, I have been reading a lot. Reading these threads is very informative, and I thought I should give some of my impressions back, to help the next guy.
In a world of 1001 air guns, budget is usually a factor for most of us. My single (most important) piece of advice would be to not compromise. A lot of this stuff follows simple logic. While I'm not going to tell you that you must always spend big money... 90% of the time... you do get what you pay for, and you never
ever get that money back. Sometimes it is best to scrimp, save, and stretch every dollar to get what you really want. Otherwise you will get a drawer full of intermediate steps that (collectively) costs more than simply showing some financial patience.
Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100.My impressions are that is is exactly what the profesional reviewers say it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbsw1_KKCgWhen I was looking to buy, I wanted an AG that was going to be quiet (very), powerful (hunting), and accurate (make me the shooter the weak link). I had experience previously with my Granddads Benjamin Sheridan Blue Streak so brand loyalty played a role (and while I knew B/S was now a 'Crosman' product I focused my search on a NP). After my research I discovered some well known issues with my choice. All high powered Springers/NP create torque and recoil. This is especially true with the NP XL 1100. It was also stated that because of a poor trigger (there is a Mod available) and the recoil that shooting the NP XL would take time and patience. I'm not new to firearms, so I figured that this would be part of a 'fun' challenge. But everyone should know that this
is a challenge and that this AG would be a poor choice (due to this frustration/challenge) for 1st time buyers. I'm still breaking the gun in, It gets easier and easier the more I practice, and the more I recognize that I'm still making mistakes. But every time that I do get it right I can instantly see the rewards. While I'm not completely competent with this AG yet I did recognize that I'd like to try a high magnification for the scope, and to do the Trigger Mod.
CenterPoint Adventure 4-16x40 Mil-Dot, Dual Illum. Scope w/AO [CPT-CPA416AORG2] $119.99 from ScopesAndAmmo.com
I'm still new to scopes, and in hindsight I think I might have made a bit of a mistake in buying this particular one. I was looking to help improve accuracy with higher magnification. What this really has already shown me is a higher amplitude (increased visual sensitivity) in my own movement while aiming. This is a good training tool. Seeing more of the target is also a very useful. $120 into a scope is not very expensive. It is longer than the previous 3-9 scope, but shares the 40mm dia. OL and the 1" tube dia. I expected that this would make the scope dimmer, but it is noticeably dimmer than I expected. In hindsight the same price could have got me into a 50mm dia OL that would have done a better job at transferring light. But I do like the cross hairs, and find the mill-dots very useful being consistant and close at the aiming point. In hindsight I wish I had saved up a little more money. I was looking for higher magnification to also use illumination in low light conditions. At $170 you can buy a 4-16x50 AO illuminated scope (from ScopesAndAmmo.com). That scope has the 50 OL, a side adjusting AO, a 30mm tube (5mm larger than a regular 1 inch tube). I would expect that all of those features would produce a much brighter sight picture for an extra $50. Still I'm not that terribly disappointed with the 4-16x40 Centerpoint. It is holding it's Zero, the Illumination (Red and Green) works well. A very nice feature for hunting is that it has full size caps over the elevation and windage adjustment (This will stop them from being bumped in the field). These adjustments work well, and have a nice tactile feel to the clicks. But the eye relief is very specific, and for fast acquisition hunting that will be annoying, but force any shooter to know his 'spot-welded' position. Bottom line - is that it is worth what cost, and should be a good match in use and quality for the NP XL 1100 for it's primary use for hunting. In the end I am about 50/50 with this scope and my decision, but I'll only kick myself when I miss. It is not a good scope for Filed Target use, and at the same price I would find a 50mm dia. OL if you are looking for better use in low light conditions.
GTX Gen II Trigger [SW-GTX(II)] $38.99 from ScopesAndAmmo.com
When I focused in on getting the Trail NP, every reviewer said that the trigger was poor. Well I was starting to get used to it when I finally decided to go for the trigger Mod. Unlike some other Mods this one is completely reversible. The goal is to improve Trigger Feel, for a proper 1st and 2nd stage release. The original trigger has a spring in it, and is not light. But as much as people grind on this trigger - it is still useable, especially for a hunting AG. There is also the "The New GRT-III Trigger" available at
http://www.charliedatuna.com. According to Charlie the GTX-II is a copy and obsolete. I did come across an article here that debated that point (
topic42008.html). A very interesting tread indeed. I used this information to order the GTX II Trigger from S&A. I installed it without any difficulty. The instructions point out that it wil need adjustment (a little at a time), and it took a bit of trial and error to get it close to where I decided to start shooting with it. I have a little more adjustment, and a bit of polishing still to complete, but here is my initial assessment: 1. (As suggested in the instructions) AIM IN A SAFE DIRECTION before you initially pull the trigger. I'm guessing mine went from about 4 lb pull to 0.8 lb pull (I have since dialed it up a bit to better differentiate the stages). 2. WOW... how the hell could anyone consider this trigger to be "obsolete"? The simple answer is that this trigger is
not obsolete (sorry Charlie). I'd like to be able to tell you with scientific proof that I have seen a dramatic evidence that clearly shows the improvement over the stock trigger... I don't have that proof. I can tell you that the difference in trigger feel is miles ahead of the stock trigger, unfortunately that difference is so radical that you really feel as if you are shooting a different gun. A different gun needs time and patience to again learn to shoot well (but I already can see an improvement – and I'll put up a photo of a target soon). So my "premature" view is that the GTX-II trigger is 100% worth it. Crossman should be making a copy. This has trigger has changed the AG. I read that before, and I'll say it again... but also know that you will
want to use your safety
all the time after this mod.
Final ThoughtWith my clear objective of having a decent air rifle for hunting. It had to be
quiet, powerful, and accurate. The inexpensive upgraded package that I now have (Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100 with a 16x illuminated scope, and the trigger mod) has met and exceeded my requirements.
But review the costs:
Benji = $314.99 (
http://www.specialtyshootingsportsoutdo ... _2045.html)
Scope = $119.99 (
http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/pro ... -wao-p-516)
Trigger = $38.99 (
http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/pro ... more-p-242)
--------------------
$473.97
= $535.59 (with 13% HST)
I believe it is still a solid choice at this cost, because it is a well made gun that is remarkably quiet for all her power.
This is very hard to find in Canada. You could look at superior rifles in the PCP Category but they get expensive, especially for the 'filling options'. The Benji Trail is autonomous. You could look at superior made German Springers but they do command a higher price, and you still have to add a scope. So price per pound, I am very happy.