1. Scope mount is essential. I would not want to deal with epoxy unless absolutely necessary.
2. Fairly calibrated out of factory. I would prefer if I do not have to do much adjustments except for zeroing in, right out of the box.
3. Springer.
4. Not looking to break the bank. But this seems non issue because all rifles top out at $200 range, so this one is settled. Price no bar for Indian rifle for me. But it is a factor in decision making.
5. 0.22 caliber. Not interested in going to ranges yet.
Now, here are the options as I've researched:
1. Precihole SX-100 Orion. It is 0.22, has a scope mount. I do not mind the fibre body, I actually like the looks. However some reviews about it's construction quality worried me. Are those still true? I understand Precihole stand behind their products, but breaking parts out of the box is something nobody wants to deal with. I am getting this rifle for 10,400 at Aimco. Some websites also have a really sexy military finish. Maybe Aimco does too if I contact them.
2. IHP 35 National (Wood). This is good. Does not have a mount, that is a major bummer. I've also read that it requires a lot of modifications before it is usable. Somebody mentioned on this forum a need of gunsmith and addition 3,000 bucks to get going. Any truth to that? I am getting this at 7,000 at Kovi.
3. IHP "New" 35 National (Fibre). I don't know what to make of this. The butt does seem like a scratch magnet. Some people say it has a scope mount, others disagree. It is 7,000 at Aimco.
Other options like IHP 35 PCP variant, NX-100, are out because I prefer a springer. I also understand that SX-100 could use NX-100's gas equipment?
So with all your experience, which one of these would you recommend? I live in a place where the shops are basically useless. They give a "ho jayega" or "mil jayega" response to close the sale. I gathered that they lack formal knowledge about guns. So for tweaking, I'd have to learn and fix/modify my guns. I do not mind that. But that's not something I'd want to do when I start out. I am looking for something that would work fairly well out of the box for at least a reasonable number of shots before needing a gunsmith. I want to a buy a good one because I'm advised that 0.22 is something I'd want to keep in my collection for a long time.
Any pointers would help!
Also, where do you guys buy your scopes?
