Benjamin Marauder (Semiautomatic) .22 Air Rifle (REVIEW) + SETUP + Accuracy Test !! - Regulated PCP 

👍👍

👍👍

Thanks and welcome! Please be sure to check out my main RU-vid channel as well, "AEAC Home." Best, Steve

Thank you Gary. I appreciate your kind note. Best, Steve

Awesome, thanks for sharing 👍

Tried the Hades, showed in a few pics. It didn't shoot them well 👍🙂

Thank you :-)

2 years later I’m trying to buy one but no longer stocked 🤬

Every time 🙂👍

Paul cheng I've tried thinking buddy..but not my money

Thank you. Not at this time, sorry.

All good, thank you.

I hated the lack of a stop on the trigger before it fires so I made a position adjustable ‘3rd stage trigger stop’. I bought two MEETOOP Spring Pluger Locking Pins from Amazon ($10). The pins’ initial push weight is 1 Lbs. I adjusted the trigger position full back (see the owner’s manual). Drilled a hole in the lower portion of the straight vertical rear section of the trigger guard so the lower rear of the trigger would hit the pin when it was pulled. The hole was just big enough to allow a Lock Pin to screw into the guard’s soft material. The hole could have been bigger, but I wanted it to screw in. The pull ring interfered with my fingers, so I took off the ring and replaced it with a short bent piece wire to hold the pin in place. I screwed in the pin w/ a supplied nut both in front and behind the trigger guard. Screwed the lock pin out a small amount so that the trigger stops when it hits the pin and only travels a short distance before it fires. Perfect stop and letoff at 3-1/4 Lbs with minimal travel.

You mean the first 2 minutes of an hour and 2 minutes? That's all you've watched so far. Just razzin ya. Steve is the best in the business.

@@joshuagibson2520 I like to comment throughout the video 😁

@@reelfishing002 lol. I do too. We were both early. Just razzin ya. I probably commented 6 times in the first 20 mins alone. Lol

starting this month they will be shipping in the Synthetic stock. We have a small amount ready but a larger production scheduled later this month.

rzage1 guess he didn't care! It seems to go to there head.

.22 only in Semiautomatic for now. Don't know that we'll see it in the other calibers. Steve

Thank you. Sorry buddy, none at this time. Steve

I am confident Benjamin will be putting eyes on all of these comments so hopefully they will answer your question for us.

This channel started 2 years ago so everything I've received for review since then gets 2 reviews, one on this channel and one on the other. Products I received before the opening of this channel got just one... to include the bolt action Marauder 3 & 4 years back 👍

That's right, thank you 😊

Hello, I spoke of the fix in the Vlog or Instagram (can't remember) but on my rifle, the nylon ball lost its roundness and began randomly catching upon trying to close the breech (it wouldn't go forward). I took a razor blade and reshaped the ball but if the gun is under warranty, I'd ask for a new charging handle/ball assembly. I also used super lube grease on it.

To keep cost down and provide more consistent quality. Best, Steve

I've spoken to the manufacturers. It's the demand, people are buying faster than it can be produced.

Hello Richard. Thanks for the kind note. I've put out 6 vids across the two channels over the past 8 weeks (dreamline .30 full review, kalibrgun argus 60 full review, dreamline .30 tuning guide, kalibrgun argus 60 vlog, ask AEAC w/Central Florida Airgunners Club, Marauder Vlog). You'll need to be subscribed to both channels with your notification bell also "clicked" for each channel to receive RU-vid notifications of my content. If you don't have the alert bell checked, RU-vid will only send you the "random" notification even though you are subscribed. To get caught, up you can also visit the "video" tab on either channel. All my content will show there. In reference to your beginners guide questions request, I've covered everything you've mentioned in great detail and a lotta times over the years. Best, Steve

It was offered to me by FX and I've accepted but it'll be later in the year. Best, Steve

hello, I spoke too this in the video for ya'll :-)

I had some challenges with a few then requested a conference call with Hantsan to talk through it all. They apologized and said they'd get back with me. Haven't heard from them since. Steve

Not that I know of.

Whichever one you like the looks of best. Steve

😨...That’s the forbidden word. HOW DARE YOU SAY THE “A” word?!? 😡

@@DocMustafa I’m new to this pcp stuffs , not even sure what you’re talking about 😇

@@reelfishing002 It was a joke. Steve said that RU-vid doesn’t like the word “AR.” He implied it without saying it since the charging handle is like that of an AR.

They will be reading these comments, I'm sure. I mentioned a bullpup to them the other day and they said they've been thinking about it.

@@aeacvlog2033 by the way thank you once again for one of your wonderful informative reviews Steve

Do you know when will their custom shop site be up and running again?

@@alco7417 I do not, but I've invited Benjamin to come by and help with questions. Steve

sounds like a barrel o ring to me but i can't be certain from here... look into the barrel at the breech and see if the o ring sis in place. Best, Steve

😊👍

Hey!!

Could be. I've only had a few tins over the years. Have yours been good for 50 & 100 yard work? Thanks, Stevw

@@aeacvlog2033 yes Ringing 2” steel plates at a little under 100 through my avenger at a cooking average of 970fps. Misses are mostly on me. One in 20 will destabilize which is likely attributed to the speed. I may shoot a group at that distance if the wind calms down around here.

@@PraetzelProjects wonky pellets can cause it too, as can a fouled barrel :-) Steve

there has been no talk of it. Steve

Not anytime soon but its definitely something on my list of things i want to do. Current platform will not drop in for two reasons. 1. its regulated and the gauge on a regulator is 2inches further up. 2. the charging handle sits really low and would interfere with the lower receiver. Essentially its just a new lower receiver and maybe handguards to fit.

Watch my full review of the Marauder Semiautomatic on my other RU-vid channel as instructed. You'll find the answer to your o-rung question there. Steve

10! :-)

Crosman isn't a supporter of the Airgun Nation Forum, and Review-Discuss-WIN (RDW) is an AGN Event. So sorry, Steve.

I’ve never had a problem with Crosman Premiers in .177 or .22 domed or hollow points. They aren’t as consistent as JSB or H&N pellets, but they’re fine for back yard plinking or pesting. I think everyone is out of pellets lately. Not sure if factories closing for COVID or higher demand because of firearm ammo shortages is the problem. Probably a combination of both.

That's interesting. They've been in all our local Walmarts (Tampa Bay, Florida) without any lapses. I was actually looking at them there just this week. I agree with you on the pellet disappointment. We (U.S.A) should be leading in this dept. Steve

our pellets machines have not stopped since March of last year. We used to have inventory in stock at our warehouse but since March 2020 everything we make literally goes on a truck and out the door.

@@prguadalupe you work for the plant that makes Crosman pellets?

@@joshuagibson2520 yes I’m the Senior Product Manager for our Hunting line of Airguns. The Benjamin Marauder is one of my products.

You are correct. .177 .22 .25 for the Marauder bolt action and .22 for the Marauder Semiautomatic. Thanks for pointing that out. Steve

Hi. I grew up in Chicago and had a basement airgun range too so I TOTALLY get what you're saying about the value of that, but that scenario isn't what I was referring too. I was making reference to the largest airgun company in the world consumer validating their products at 30 feet when the standard measure of accuracy for a modern airgun is 50 & 100 yards. Hope that helps clarify 👍

Hi Steve. I received my SAM a few days ago .Had to laugh at the 10 yard target included. I'm 72 years with shot up shoulders so that is why a semi auto PCP was something I wanted to take a chance on. Here are some things folks might want to know based on my initial ( 200 rounds) use.First and foremost ....this has a DIFFERENT mag than the standard Madder. I looked at the plastic face plate and noticed the hole is ROUND and not Oval .Also the loading of the mag has a different procedure. Using my old mags DID NOT WORK. One shot and then I had to re chamber manually. I called Crosman and asked about the availability of additional mags. Once I used the SAM I wanted more mags!!! It is addictive . You can purchase them directly from Crosman .They are not available any place else right now I am aware of. As you noted charging handle was very stiff at first. Use and lube helped a lot and it became easier as I kept shooting.Same deal with the insert and removal of the mag.VERY tight fit. I learned to listen for the "click" to know it was seated. Pushing it out while pulling the charging lever back was relay a challenge initially. Again with lube and use it became easier. Lubing the ball and the slide and the mag chamber with Super Grease was a big assist.After I had shot 200 rounds it became fairly user friendly. The day I took it outside to my outdoor range the temp had gone up to the mid 60's ,which was just a one and gone temp day as it was back to freezing the next day. The wind was really roaring 25 steady and gusting higher.But hay wanted to see how it worked. OMG!!! I was hitting the gong ( an acetylene tank valve cover ) at 50 yards easily. Didn't have it filled to full capacity I was at (2500 lbs ) It fired FLAWLESSLY and as I said I shot over 200 rounds ( Crosman `Dome 14.3 as suggested) . Using my FX Chrno I was getting 870-875 fps at 24 ft lbs. What a total fun, and so far accurate air gun.Except for .............. THE TRIGGER SUCKS . As you said the first stage was barely noticeable and to get to the 2ed stage I could have made a cup of coffee waiting for the break. Crisp when it did break. I have not removed the trigger adj. screw as you suggested ,will do that . I'm betting this gun will shoot very accurate when the trigger is adjusted. I dont see this as a dead nuts on long range target gun but for a fun plinker and a great squirrel gun it will be perfect, and reaching out to 100 yards will be interesting to see how it does. I hope in your range review we can get some info on what the ftlbs is for those 14.3 pellets at 50 and 100 yards as that will deter min if it has the power for clean kill shots on pest birds and squirrels at those ranged. BOTTOM LINE ......I'm VERY happy with the gun and the semi auto action is just fantastic .Follow up shots on small game and pests. I don't intend to touch the adjustments at all.Hay it is at the sweet spot with the pellets the barrel is designed to shoot. Hoping Steve don't know if you're still reading this verbose read but on the 10yard paper target with the gun..... When I was talking to Crosman about the mags I asked what was up with a 10 yard target test . I was told all guns get a 10 yard test then they BATCH test the guns at 30 yard and also Batch test at 70 . I assume this is to assure quality control and catch any thing that is going sideways in a production run. So while they don't send out target results for 30 and 70 yards they do test them . Thanks again for the fun and informative review.All you said proved to be correct as is always the case .That's why so many trust your judgment.

@@TheOverlyHackeled Thank you for all of the above. Lots of answers to your questions shared by me on AEAC Instagram over the past week. I finished filming just today 😁

Benjamin not so much though in my experience 🙂

So to elaborate on that, some out of "every production batch" get tested at 30 yards x 10 shots and "every single gun" gets tested at 10 yards as part of the final QC... got a text from Phillip after he watched the vid, hehe :-)

@@aeacvlog2033 lol. Thanks for elaborating on that Steve. Take care...

They have improved the Crosman /Benjamin barrel in 22 cal and offer a Walther barrel for the bolt action Benjamin for a minimal charge. Speaking of FX , they had to address the heavier slugs at high velocities by adding a carbon sleeve with the 800MM barrel . I have finally tuned mine for 34 Grain Griffin dished slugs with very good results . Good luck with the Panthera , it seems to be a good PCP . Also , I purchased a bench target 30 cal Skout Epoch with the 35” barrel ! I hope AEAC will test a Skout soon !

Not "my" method, lol. One must hold back the hammer spring via the charge handle and release it slowly forward until decocked. Pulling the trigger and not doing this will indeed blow out the o-ring 😊

I feel like a Benjamin can get current with the global market by making the next Marauder this: - 480 cc 250 bar carbon fiber bottle - side lever cocking - skeleton stock - appropriate caliber power levels to combat wind & range - externally accessible hammer spring adjuster - externally adjustable regulator - $775 for non regulated antique stock - $975 for regulated skeleton stock or pup ... And please stop trying to make the Marauder $500. Let the Marauder be $1,000 and let the Fortitude be $350 - $450. Steve

$1000 marauder? No thanks. There's a reason why it's number 1 selling PCP because of its affordable price for the performance. Don't listen to Steve on this one, not everybody can afford $1000 toy guns. If anything, Benjamin should add more for less (sub $500) to create VALUE for the consumers.

@@mikeyang8040 Hi Mike. To clarify, I don't want the $500 price point to go away. I know how important it is. Just saying, it would be nice to see the Fortitude slide up into the $4-500 slot with the appropriate upgrades, allowing the Marauder to take on some other guns in the $800-1,000 category (it's already $730 as is and $1,000 outta the Crosman custom shop). I'm referencing my approach to cost & value based upon what the industry is doing as a whole right now. Hope this helps, Steve

@@mikeyang8040 You lost me with the word "toy"

@@mikeyang8040 in eu( slovenia) price for marauder gen 1 and gen2 are from 850-900€!! and they are just regular guns! Now think what steve says abaut all upgrades, then would be here in slovenia price much more higher. So you're lucky that you live in USA! Prices are good and that's ok! Euro is cursed 😁

Try the Air Venturi Avenger for $300 or the Hatsan Flash for $300. Those are both high performing entry level PCPs. Steve

So you know, I'm not really fond of being a part of the "launch party." I'd much rather be the cleanup guy. I've been a firster twice and once it worked out well and once it caused me a lotta headache. A few years back, I let all my sponsors know my preferences and they've all been very accommodating. They let me choose 🙂 Best, Stsve

@@aeacvlog2033 All Good! Have you heard about anything new up and coming from RTI?

@@mikecollins3102 I haven't, sorry.

Lol 😆

I don't disagree with ya on the fully auto but here in the U.S. most firearms have been semiautomatic for 60+ years now... only natural that airguns follow suit. Best, Steve

Have a watch of the video without skipping around and you will indeed find detailed shared shot charts (velocity + power) as well as a TON of shared accuracy results from the initial cull. If you wish to see this rifle accuracy tested at 50 & 100 yards on video with Labradar velocity of each shot along the way, watch the "full review" on my other RU-vid channel... as instructed to do so in this video 😉. Vlog channel = discovery & approach. Main channel = full review. That's always the forumula. Best, Steve

@@AEAC That formula works very well. Now I have to go back and rewatch the Avenger reviews re adjusting the fpe down and then, if that "works", what's viable to improve it considering the difference in initial cost. Price is not everything; weighing the options, both immediate and future for personalization, balances the heart and mind. Congrats on making the balance(s!!!) inherent in your business model work, that's one heck of a niche to carve out and then keep full, level, err balanced. You choice to not further monetize by denying RU-vid ads is appreciated (and further feeds a/the balance). Your cadence and inflection reminds me of the original Motor Week tv series 👍🏼.