unisex adult Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun with 4x32mm Scope Air Rifle, Black, Large US

6/4/18: Short update - this is a very powerful springer - I have shot several rabbits around 30 yards, and the pellets have gone clear through the critters, even through shoulder muscles. I am not a 'professional' when it comes to air guns, but I find this one a superior value! I had a Beeman Sportsman for the past 15 years that I was reasonably happy with - killed many hundreds of squirrels with it in my back yard trying to keep the nasty things out of my attic. (I had both nut and fruit trees in the yard, so the danged things were constantly mobbing me - tree rats are very cute and GREAT eating, but they do a LOT of damage when they move into the house!) That Beeman springer would generally hold about 1" groups at 15 yards, but the internal piston seals got hard and started breaking up recently, so I was looking for a replacement. I tried a new Beeman Sportsman, and it was pure garbage - I will never buy another of that brand. This Ruger/Umarex has surpassed all my expectations. I have fired several hundred rounds through it in the past few days, and it will generally hold 1/2" or less groups at 15 yards. It holds the same point of aim out at 25 yards, but the groups open up to about an inch, or maybe a bit more (I really have not shot too much at that longer range). I am using bulk Crosman lead wad-cutter "Competition" pellets (the cheapest ones I could find on Amazon), and the results are so good I feel no need to test any others. I love the safely placement and operation - FAR superior to the garbage Beeman makes; it is both easy to reach and take off, as well as put back on if I decide not to take the shot. And the trigger on this Ruger is just superb. It is adjustable, but it has been so smooth and perfect right out of the box that I have not made any changes. It is still kind of early for me to pass judgement on the scope, but it seems pretty good for one just included with a sub-$100 gun. It has surprising heft, which indicates to me it may be of decent quality, and it does seem to hold point of aim after it is adjusted. The only negative so far is that it SEEMED to be a bit erratic on the click adjustments - sometimes moving the POI far too much with only a click or two. But it is still possible that what I was seeing was simply my poor shooting. After I got it all sighted in, I have been loath to start screwing with it to re-test the adjustments. I have not checked the velocity yet with my chronograph, but frankly, everything else about this gun seems so nice that I do not really care if it fully meets the specs for velocity or not. Cannot believe this was less than $100! One last comment on accuracy that has nothing to do with this specific gun - I found that I cannot use a full bench rest stand to test it (for the same reason you cannot use a normal scope on an air gun). The forward "recoil" of the mechanism causes the gun to jump in the cradle, which results in vertical strings (I had never tried this rest with an air gun before, so the results initially surprised me). Only after I started shouldering the gun and just letting the forearm rest on the front cradle did I start getting really accurate results.

This is my first air rifle, so I can only compare it to other firearms I own, including a Benjamin air pistol, several .22s and other higher powered handguns. As my title indicates, it amazes me that for under a "C note," delivered, such quality and features can be obtained. Frankly, it's hard to imagine how the numerous folks in the money chain, from the manufacturer, international shipper, importer, U.S. distributor, retailer, and finally, UPS to my house. How can it be done? I have to imagine that "China Incorporated" must be subsidizing so much of their manufacturing base. I remember when it was that way with Japanese products, but now they're making up for it; not much cheep from Japan these days. As much as I hate supporting the Chicoms I fall into their trap from time to time, but go out of my way to purchase from the free world when a good alternative is available. Anyway, down to the product. This rifle is very solidly built, has abundant power and so far seems to be quite accurate. I've only shot it in my basement at 15 yards and it holds good groups. Until it warms up a bit and I get a chance to take it outside will I be able to provide more information about accuracy and durability. However, this thing is well built, tolerances and materials seem to be excellent, and it's more overall than I expected. As others have indicated, this is a heavy rifle and a bit loud, at least when not yet broken in. I also suspect heavier bullets (subsonic) might quiet things down a bit. As the opportunity presents, I'll update my finding. I just mounted the scope, so I can't honestly provide a review on it, but it seems to be adequate for what I need, if it holds up okay. **************************************************************************************************** Update: After much frustration with not being able to hold a decent group, and the poor scope mount, I sent it back. Cudos to Amazon for their punctual rebate and ease of return. I didn't give up on finding a decent air rifle and ordered the Benjamin Trail NP synthetic, and am extremely happy. It grouped within 1/2" (at 10 meters) right out of the box, and the scope was so much better. After a couple hundred rounds, it's grouping down to about 1/4". It's twice the money, but well worth it.

Update: 3-18 2017 I replaced the scope with something more user friendly, an old Daisy Powerline 3 x 9 x 32 Daisy Outdoor Products 3-9 x 32 PowerlineScope (Black, 3-9 x 32) that has served me well on several air rifles for many years. The parallax setting is more target friendly at 10 meters than the supplied Ruger scope, and then I did some more pellet testing. The results of the combination of a half decent scope and pellets that the rifle has fallen in love with Daisy 987418-446 Win 500 ct .177, Hollow Point Pellets are pretty good. I think I shot the smallest 5 shot group of my life with a break action springer. Just incredible. Last Pictures. Update:2-24-2017 I chronographed this rifle and it shoots Daisy hollow points at 960 FPS. Bengamin HP's at about 935 with great accuracy. The Daisy HP's and the Winchesters are probably the same product. They both work well. Very nice rifle at its price point. Will it last? Well get some thread locker and learn how to use it. All break barrel's loosen screws. It is the nature of the beast. Maintain it and make it your own. Mine is a keeper. The fit and finish is outstanding. Update: I let it chose some pellets, (last photo) It seems to get along with the moderately priced Winchester hollow points rather well. These results are remarkable when you consider the horrible parallax in the scope is at 10 meters. This target was re-used, thus the random holes. I put tape over the centers and recycled it with the Ruger. The Blackhawk is a fitting name for this rifle, on the target it shoots nothing but black. Now I am going to have to spend as much on a scope as I did on the rifle to see what it can really do. Disclaimer: I was born in 1949, don't see so good and am a bit wobbly at times. I am not a very good marksman but I try. 20-200 vision in one eye screws up depth perception, due to lack of vision I have to shoot left handed even though I am right handed. 1 Packaging, first rate, perfect undamaged condition. 2 Documentation, best I have ever received with an air rifle and scope. 3 Fit and finish. Absolutely perfect smooth metal and perfect bluing. 4 Iron sights, right on windage , very low vertical factory setting. Quickly adjusted. Right on in 10 shots. 5 Scope. Above average focus and sharpness for its price point. Typical horrible parallax at 10 meters. Better than SOME. Nice low mounts. This is one of the easiest air rifles I ever dialed in. I ran about a dozen cheap daisy pellets that almost fall out of the barrel to sight in the iron sights. I thoroughly cleaned the barrel before shooting it and only had 2 pellets that dieseled, it seemed to settle down after about a dozen shots. I switched to RWS wad cutters 8.2 gr to sight in the scope. My rifle has a very deep loading chamber, I use a #2 Phillips screwdriver bit to seat the pellets. I used only 11 pellets to get it roughly dialed in at 10 meters. I then shot 26 more pellets with what I consider great results, tweaking the scope every once in a while. As you can see the 3 and 4 shot groups show the rifle can do it if you do your part. I am pretty sure I can find some pellets that work even better, but my preliminary results are extremely good. The trigger was pretty good right out of the box, but then again I am used to some horrible ones. I will adjust it when I have the 'time and will update this review when I learn more about this rifle. So far it is just plain good. Nothing to not like about it, except the scope, but even that is much better than can be expected at this price point. It is actually useable and will probably be pretty good at longer distances. I did not have my crono set up but I used my 28 gage sheet metal crono and it seems to be about 950 fps perhaps a little more based on the results as compared to my Hatsan Edge 177 and Benjamin Maximus 177 that I have crono'd @ 984 and 986 recently. This seems to be a sweet spot for accuracy with many "normal weight" pellets.

I've had this rifle for about a month and have put about 400 to 500 rounds through it. So far, it certainly does not owe me a penny. :) However, there are a few things that need clarification or explanation to get the most out of this rifle. First, and probably most important, you MUST practice the "artillery hold" to obtain consistent accuracy with this rifle! There are videos on YouTube that explain this. But the short version is that you must hold this rifle LIGHTLY! Do not put a death grip on it! This is a spring piston rifle and it recoils not only backward but forward as well. The recoil must not be suppressed or you'll never get good groupings. I rest (not grip) this rifle on my open palm about 3 to 4 inches in front of the trigger guard. That area is the approximate balance point. My firing hand very lightly grips the wrist of the rifle stock and I gently squeeze the trigger. Allow the rifle to recoil while you maintain your relaxed steadiness! Don't suppress the recoil! Sight your scope this way, from 10 to 25 yards away, and try to make this procedure as consistent as possible and you should get decent groupings. This rifle is VERY GRIP SENSITIVE so be aware of that, embrace that concept, and you'll do very well! Second, clean the barrel prior to the first shot! Two reasons for this! If you'll read below you'll notice several reviews where people are shocked at just how loud the first few shots are. The reason is because there is residual oil in the barrel which ignites upon firing. This is called "dieseling". It also can drastically increase the velocity of the pellet which can seriously hamper your accuracy. Secondly, the extra oil itself can hamper the path of the pellet and destroy accuracy as well. Third, use a good quality pellet. My rifle seems to like Predator Polymags at 8 grains. I am going to try some of the heavier 10 grain pellets too which will slow the fps but should increase the accuracy a tad more. Fourth, attach your scope securely. The recoil of this rifle WILL loosen screws! Periodically check the scope for loose screws as well the rest of the screws on the rifle. In closing, this is a fine rifle for the money. It does have its quirks but these quirks are common on nearly all spring powered, break barrel air guns! Just read the reviews on the expensive rifles of the same genre and you'll see the same complaints! Just prior to writing this I shot a half inch grouping, of three polymag pellets, at 22 yards. Practice makes perfect.

The first rifle I received detonated badly on the first two shots--I mean really badly, the first shot sounded like a AR-15 and the second just a bit less startling. After that it squawked and groaned as it was being cocked and had less power then my old Red Ryder. BUT Amazon was great, no questions asked we'll send another one (got it less than 36 hours later)--and here is the return shipping label; They know how to treat customers. I must also note that the first rifle appeared to have been lubricated by an overzealous assembler, it had a giant glob of blue grease on the barrel locking detent ball and the breech was oozing lubricant. I think the spring broke. The second unit dieseled a bit on the first shot, less on the second and has now settled in to a nice high power "slap" when firing; it will push a 7 gn "red tip" though 3/8" plywood at 20 feet, and in its first 30 minutes bagged four "tree rats" reducing our surplus population of same to less than 300 to 400. I read negative comments about the scope and its mounting rings, re: the latter I don't know why they are as good as any dovetail rings I have seen and have not twitched in 100+ rounds. Is the scope perfect? Hell no, I have others that are far superior, though they each cost 3 to 4 times what the entire Blackhawk package cost making the included scope a pretty good value. I have not been able to get it to focus as well as I would like, nonetheless it is quite usable. The reticle is sharp and clear and it sighted in well. I will play with the focus a bit more though at 70+ my eyes do not focus as well as I would like either. The rifle is heavier than I had expected but not OMG/WTF heavy. It seems well built, fit and finish are superior to other offerings in this price range, and best yet is unadorned with the silly barrel shrouds, "tactical" stock, muzzle "brakes", etc. and other crap many low-end makers seem to feel their customer base wants-- for crying out loud, it's just a BB gun on steroids. Actually most of their customer base probably does want all that.

We have a great fruiting Benton cherry tree and this year the crows and squirrels stripped the tree completely of the delicious fruit. Last year we harvested 6-1/2 pounds of the delectable treats and relished in their awesomeness over late spring and early summer. This year we got 5 cherries. I guess the word is out in the animal kingdom...we have goodies! My beautiful sweet wife with a gentle loving soul, while sampling the last 5 cherries said, "These trespassing thieves must die"!!!! Don't get between and Asian woman and her cherries :)) So as a loving doting husband I set out to find a solution and behold Ruger had the answer. Mind you, this is all for marital bliss! Not only is this complete package but it's as well built and heavy as my Marlin lever action 30-30. Of course I can't be knockin' crows and squirrels out of a cherry tree with a 30-30!? Waaaay too loud! My big surprise was this rifle was quietly driving 10.65 grain Crossman domed projectiles clean through 5/8" plywood, and several heavy card board boxes before lodging into a 4 ft. burm in my backyard. BWAAAHAAAHAAA I exclaimed in my best Dr. Evil laugh! Looks like booty is back on the table boys, as I reassured my angelic wife, next year the trespassers don't stand a chance. The 4 X 32 scope was easy to mount and fairly easy to sight. This rifle has a kick - more than a .22 rifle - and while sighting the scope it loosened the screws quickly and I had to re-tighten everything. After a few adjustment I was putting rounds inside a quarter at 12 meters, (36-40 feet) consistently. Oh small woodland usurpers beware! I only put about 40 to 50 rounds after the second tightening. If the screws come loose again I'll set them with Lok Tite. It takes a fair amount of force to cock the weapon and I like the trigger pull. It has a little slack before you feel the resistance and then a nice squeeze to release the projectile. I'm not sophisticated enough to have a rifle vise and chronograph like some. Just the basics, small table, lawn chair, and canvas tool bag to rest the rifle and viola, pinpoint accuracy! Some friends tried it out and couldn't believe how accurate shot placement was for such an inexpensive rifle. Now, come next spring, when the varmints are busy creeping about, I'll be ready. Hiding in my blind waiting for the little pillagers to strike. When I have a couple of carcasses to show my bride I have defended her honor and her cherries. Maybe just maybe she'll ravage me relentlessly for protecting her delicious wonderful sweets. Thanks Ruger for making me feel like a sniper! Through the maple, over the bush, under the apple, into the cherry, on the branch, nothing but crow!!!! PRICELESS :D Cheers

Pellet gun arrived missing the scope, but other than that excellent device.

This is a wonderful air rifle/scope combo, and I cannot believe that it cost only $80-100 depending on where you shop. The trigger is fine. I like the factory setting. A long, light first stage, that you take up while getting on target. The the second stage breaks nicely when you want to fire. I like it. It is as good or better than some centerfire rifles that I have shot. Cocking the rifle takes some effort and would be problematic for someone with less than average strength. I am a pretty normal guy and am able to shoot the gun for some time before wanting to take a break. The scope, while inexpensive, is fine and of above average quality for air rifles based on the three air combination packages (gun/scope) that I looked over, the other two being an Umarex Throttle and a Crosman Phantom NP. It seems to hold its zero, and mounted easily enough on the rings that came with the rifle. The scope must only wholesale for less than $5 given that the whole rifle/scape combination is $80-100. You can see the front sight when looking through the scope, which is not a big deal and my biggest complaint about the product. If I bought an inexpensive 22LR rifle and this scope came as an extra. If I could find this scope selling for $10-15 retail I would buy a bunch of them. Accuracy seems fine. I have only been shooting off-hand using H&N Baracuda Green Lead-Free pellets at about 8 yards (the width of my garage) and am able to keep all my shots inside the black of a 1.2" target (NRA 10-meter air rifle target 4-ring). More than adequate for a hunting gun. With the 4x scope you can see the pellet hit the paper. The rifle is slightly longer than my hunting rifle, and almost as heavy as my hunting rifle, which is a Ruger M77 MkII in 270 win. So, in the 8 pound range. The shape and feel of the stock are almost identical to my Ruger M77 MkII hunting rifle, which makes the ergonomics of the air rifle and practicing with the air rifle translate directly to big game hunting. I love it.