Daisy Outdoor Products Legend (Brown/Black, 38.5 Inch)

I have been looking to get into 10M target shooting, and have had almost no experience with rifles. Aside from a Red Ryder BB gun and 12 ga shot guns, my shooting experience has been mostly field shooting.After much research and deliberation, I decided to get my feet wet with the Daisy Avanti products, selecting the 853 single shot model as the simplest mechanism and best reviewed option.Wanting to be able to shoot in my basement, I was looking for a sub 500fps rifle that is accurate. With this 853, I feel I have found the perfect gun.Small Quibble: It appears that Daisy has abandoned the Styrofoam insert for a simple cardboard tray. Thus my quibble is that the shipping box practically fell apart in transit because it is too thin without the Styrofoam tray.This small rifle is actually very comfortable for a mid to small framed adult, a woman or larger child. The plastic butt stock inserts allow for adding about 4.5 inches to the length of the stock. The mechanism operates very smoothly, with the lever throw being quite long. I found that from a sitting, kneeling or standing position, bracing the stock against the ground or body allows for controlled lever action. However from a prone position, the length of the movement makes it awkward at best, but doable with some twisting and rolling around.The rifle came with a factory target showing a 3 shot group of less than 1 inch. It is a hefty gun and well balanced. The rear micrometer peep sight comes boxed, and you only need to attach it to the dovetail rail and tighten 2 screws. The length of the mount allows you to place the rear sight pretty far back if you need to adjust for a smaller shooter.Made of mostly metal the adjustable micrometer sight does the job. It is pretty stable and easy to adjust. The front globe sight comes with a set of different apertures, the one already installed is very suitable for the standard 10M target, allowing for a nice ring around the black target zone.Sighting in and getting used to the rifle allows for some "Robin Hood" 2 in the same hole shots at 10M, but that is mostly luck. Over all, when shooting well, the groupings are easily within the diameter of a quarter, and sometimes even a nickel or dime. This rifle is more accurate than I am able to shoot consistently.After about 250 shots, the trigger is not as rough or dragging as some reviews in the web. Perhaps Daisy listened and improved the QA on the trigger and sear so that they operate more smoothly. The trigger has a high break point, but very comparable to a Remington 870 or 11-87. It is definitely not a 3 lb 2 stage target gun trigger, but I have found it to be consistent and useable. I expect it will break in even better after another 250 shots.It came with a simple sling and adjustable swivel that clamps to the pump arm. Unfortunately there were no instructions on how to mount the swivel, and it took a little trial and error to get it working correctly. Basically there are two halves of a metal clamp with two drilled holes, that fit on the pump arm, and a bolt, washer fit through the larger hole to a tightening handle. Then the quick release swivel inserts into the second hole, and the sling snaps onto the swivel.Yet, even with my quibbles all in all, I am very pleased with this rifle, and now enjoy target shooting in my basement.

I am so happy to own this air rifle!This is the same model I used when I was on the air riflery team in MCJROTC. Some of the other cadets prefered the "better" 753 but I always liked the classic feel of the 853. I can say with all certainty that this air gun is ACCURATE! I have never had a problem with it being off one way or the other. It is a great training tool. It teaches Marksmanship by making you take each shot one round at a time, forcing you to make that one shot count. the only thing I can say in the negative is that the sling takes some getting used to because its doesn't have 2 points of contact with the gun, one end is attached to the front of the stock by a swivel, and the other end is a loop you tighten around your supporting arm just above the bicep. it is wierd at first but you will get used to it. If you want something to practice you marksmanship with that wont cost you a fortune in ammo, and youve out grown your Red Rider, I would highly recomend this air rifle.

It shoots petty good. The trigger is average. Feel and balance of the rifle is very nice, and will work for an adult down to and average 10 year old for fit. The cocking lever is a little difficult for younger shooters. I have shot this rifle a lot and have also shot the Daisy 888 CO2 rifle. The model 888 is more accurate because is has no "recoil." The lever on this model "jumps" a little with the shot. The "pros" for this rifle are the price, no need for CO2, and is good for practice. Cons --- PCP (precharged pneumatics) are more accurate and better for competition.

Oh, did I mention inexpensive. My only complaint is the sights are not easy to use. Maybe my eyes are just too weak to obtain a good sight picture. Nevertheless, when shooting off a bag at 10-15 meters, it punches pretty much one hole. If only I could get that shooting off hand. No one will hear you practice. Just remember this is only for paper. The velocity makes it totally unsuitable for any type of hunting.

I have never owned an air gun that exhibited such accuracy. I set up some targets 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet away. Started with 20 and made adjustments to the rear alignment sight. Then at progressive levels. At 50 feet I was hitting the target the size of a quarter. Well done Daisy!!!

Favorite pellet gun, a real tack driver

Love it.

I used this rifle for many years on my high school JROTC marksmanship team. We used these to take several state championships and even went to nationals one year. Excellent, repeatable accuracy on 10-meter bullseye targets. Great for the youth shooter or as a practice gun for the professional marksman. The only downside to this rifle (and with all piston powered air rifles) is you have to completely move out of your shooting position to charge it before each shot. The only way to get away from that though is to go with a $1k+ compressed air gun like the Anschutz.You will not be disappointed by this rifle.