Fate of imported airrifles

[andy_65_in]

I was really wondering as to what is the actual fate of all these imported fancy air rifles and PCPs which we acquire from all around the world here in India after they land up here-void of any worthwhile warrantee and repair because of the inability to export them back to the dealer/manufacturer who insist that the air rifle be sent back to them for repairs under warrantee .The problem is more acute with PCPs.Of course there are many self styled experts/gurus/doctors/even representatives of some of these air rifle manufacturers but most of these farts are just time pass time wasters, as I saw in the case of my Huntsman Classic .there needs to be some impetus to these international air rifle manufacturers/dealers to come to India-I’m sure if the govt can permit import of air rifles there can always be a policy to permit these manufacturers/dealers to also have some sort of presence here. Otherwise what’s the point in buying such a costly air rifle and then be in the DIY mode thereafter.

[Biren]

Yes this is one important issue. What to do if something goes wrong with imported air rifle specially those with fancy features? How are those who are using competition grade match air rifles are managing? Also whether spares & service will be restricted to air rifles passing the deal wood test? Many questions butn there should be start smewhere.

Cheers
Biren

[mercury]

good post Andy....and i do wish that it provokes appropriate responses. i am sure there are many PCP owners out here who have had issues and have either let it slide as a bad investment or found a DIY solution ...which may or may not have the gun shooting to its true potential.

one of the advantages of a spring powered air gun is the simplicity of its functionality and the vast knowledge readily available on forums making a DIY a sure fix in most cases. i will not generalise but the majority of gunsmiths found in air gun outlets..even in major cities lack the knowledge to set right even Indian make AR's let alone the imported ones. now to set right a PCP would be a different ball game altogether.

reminds me of years ago when digital watches were the rage and i had this guy in Commercial street ( Bangalore) change the battery on mine. showed me what he claimed was an imported Japanese brand and when i asked about guarantee..pat came the answer. "as long as you are inside the shop fine but the minute you leave the shop, sorry sir ...."

as to why international manufacturers do not have a presence and even if the Govt. did allow their presence here , would not be too keen on setting up shop would be based purely on market viability. on air gun forums we may find many owners of top of the line PCP's , but as a market India would be minuscule.

gun ownership ( including imported air guns) in India has a history of being "class based". sure , times have changed but mind sets have not.

i do have a vested here...being in the market for Daystate HC , but it is these doubts/ fears that have me hesitating for over a year now. is this buy a risk...given the experience that Andy and i am sure many other owners have had ? you are right Biren ...too many questions and where does this leave us prospective buyers of PCP's.

[brihacharan]

good post Andy....and i do wish that it provokes appropriate responses. i am sure there are many PCP owners out here who have had issues and have either let it slide as a bad investment or found a DIY solution ...which may or may not have the gun shooting to its true potential.

Why international manufacturers do not have a presence and even if the Govt. did allow their presence here , would not be too keen on setting up shop would be based purely on market viability. on air gun forums we may find many owners of top of the line PCP's , but as a market India would be minuscule.

gun ownership ( including imported air guns) in India has a history of being "class based". sure , times have changed but mind sets have not.

i do have a vested here...being in the market for Daystate HC , but it is these doubts/ fears that have me hesitating for over a year now. is this buy a risk...given the experience that Andy and i am sure many other owners have had ? you are right Biren ...too many questions and where does this leave us prospective buyers of PCP's.

> IMHO the major problem with imported PCPs arise from the malfunction of their compressed air inlet / outlet valves....Repairing these require skill & there are no qualified gunsmiths to handle this.....
> Further in the event that they need to be replaced - importing them is a hassle & costs prohibitive.....
> I have personally seen many match shooters in Mumbai calling on Dr. Shirsat of Precihole and getting them fixed .... but then how many have access to him if they don't reside in Mumbai?
> As IFGian 'mercury' has pointed out - Where does that leave a PCP enthusiast???
> It's our government's apathy towards this sport that has left us all in a lurch....
> To those who can afford to import spares for PCPs and locate a good gunsmith to do the needful ...Good Luck!!!!
Briha

[andy_65_in]

I agree with briha ji-springers are the safest bet anyday.PCPs are a pain in the ... if they conk off

[TC]

First I must thank Andy for starting this thread.
A am on outright firearms (handguns more precisely) guy and only have a few antique British air rifles and pistols that I rarely use. However, I very keenly follow the development of air weapons, their designs, trade practices, problems with import,repairs, procurement of spares etc etc. Here is my PERSONAL observation.

1) It is safest to import (through whichever source) springers and I would prescribe only those that are built to last more than one generation. And here, I trust the Germans first and can only think of RWS. And the two other brands come to mind are Air Arms, the finest springers money can buy, and of course Weirauch.

2) Among all the PCP designs I have studied (I must thank a fellow member for helping me) the Air Force Talon and Condor seem to be the best in the Indian context. They are rugged and the simplicity of design makes them easier to maintain and repair.

3) Avoid Co2s as far as possible, especially the semi auto pistols with realistic recoil action with valves placed in the magazines. If at all you are tempted is better to invest in the rather expensive models Umarex makes in Germany. These are the Berettas, Colt (not the small Defender model) and the Walther P99. Remember Umarex does not make all the models in its lineup. Quite a few are made by Taiwan based companies for Umarex. I am yet to form an opinion of the Russian models but can at least say that the Makarov pistols ( I am holding one in my avatar pic) made at the Baikal plant are built to last.

Hope my little experience helps

TC