Benjamin Sheridan Trail Np2 Stealth Air Rifle 177 Caliber Reviews

The Benjamin Trail NP ("Nitro Piston") series past Crosman has enjoyed peachy popularity, and includes some of the nearly well-loved gas-piston air rifles available.

Nonetheless, each of the current three versions of the Benjamin Trail, the original NP, the NP Twoscore, and brand new NP2, are quite unlike, and each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages that anyone contemplating a "Trail" should consider.

To assist you sort this out, nosotros've provided our ain review of each model, based on their respective pros and cons, so you can be better informed before dropping your hard-earned dollars. For the sake of word, we volition compare each model in the .22 caliber.

At the conclusion of the article, we volition give you lot our 2 cents as to our personal favorite Ben Trail.

Table of Contents

• 1) The Original – the Benjamin Trail NP
  • The Good:
  • The Bad:
  • The Verdict
• 2) The Beast – the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100/725
  • The Good:
  • The Bad:
  • The Verdict
• 3) The Next Generation – The Trail NP2
  • The Expert:
  • The Bad:
  • The Verdict
• Then Which is Our Favorite Benjamin Trail?

i) The Original – the Benjamin Trail NP

The Good:

• Expert Hunting Power. As far equally dial, the NP brings enough, and by our estimates (based on manufacturer velocity ratings) is likely to evangelize around 18-xx ft-lbs of energy ("FPE") in the .22 caliber. This is really good by any measure, and makes the NP a very solid small game hunting burglarize for those interested in pursuing anything from starlings to squirrels.

• Easy Cocking/Modest Recoil. Moreover, despite hitting difficult, this nitro piston machinery is quite easy to cock. As well, this pellet burglarize fires smoothly with small recoil and a moderate level of "hold sensitivity." This is adept, considering these are ii of the quintessential "benefits" of the gas-piston compared to an equally-powered bound piston air rifle in the first place.

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  Quiet Report. Another thing that users volition notice is that the NP is fairly quiet compared to a springer. Thus, for situations that require more "discrete" shooting, nosotros think the NP will come across or exceed near users' expectations, especially in light of the very good muzzle free energy delivered by this gas ram.

• Decent Telescopic on Combo. As far as optics, the philharmonic comes included with a CenterPoint 3-9×40 AO (parallax adjustable) scope, which in reality is pretty decent by all objective measures. Yep, y'all will hear some people wail on nearly how mediocre to poor it is, merely for the most part, that is a typical gripes with just near any combo scope. In fact, all things considered, the scope is OK – what else can you lot ask for in an affordable combo?

• Nice Fit & Finish. Finally, the NP is a nice looking air burglarize with a clean fit and finish (many appreciate the keyhole stock); it's also quite manageable, too with an overall length of simply over 44″ and a weight of just a tad over 7 pounds.

The Bad:

• Regrettable Trigger. By far the biggest weak spot of the NP is the trigger. It'south not just heavy, it has a very long second stage also. Tin can you get by with it? Sure, but you will accept to exist a very patient person and actually master the artillery hold to do so. The problem is that this trigger is not simply annoying, it can and will pull you off your target if not careful. In fact, to the extent that people have trouble with accuracy at all, we suspect that it's related to the trigger pull, rather than annihilation else nearly the rifle itself. Many who buy the NP knowing about the trigger issue either buy an aftermarket trigger (the GRT III "Charlie-da-Tuna" trigger is popular) or try one of various DIY fixes, for which you tin can no doubt several tutorials on the spider web. Just think that tampering with the trigger will void the warranty, so tread carefully.

• Long Pause In Period. Another gripe that we hear likewise ofttimes to dismiss is the lengthy break in period often required. What are nosotros talking about? In some cases, users report needing to button a few hundred rounds before the NP earlier settles downwards. The good news is that once it does suspension in, this matter is a tack driver!

• Very Picky About Pellets. As well the woefully stiff trigger and lengthy break in period, you may struggle initially to find the best pellet combination with your particular gun. Getting the right pellet is always a bit of trial and fault, but unlike other rifles, there seems to be no default all-time brands for this gun, you are just going to take to experiment to see what your rifle "likes." To that end, we suggest you buy a good pellet sampler pack, go into a comfortable demote residual position, and make an afternoon out of it!

The Verdict

The original Trail NP is well-balanced and combines impressive ability, expert accuracy (one time you lot get past the trigger), a modest cocking attempt and a manageable size and weight. This makes information technology a good entry-level gas ram for more inexperienced users, but one that requires some modification (especially the trigger) and lots of patience earlier more than avant-garde shooters can really accept advantage of the accuracy this rifle is capable of.

2) The Animal – the Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100/725

The Good:

• Huge Power! The NP 40 is a real monster that generates truthful "Magnum" blazon ability. What are we talking about? This rifle in the .22  – the "XL 1100" – is reported to generate just under 30 ft-lbs of energy at the cage! Although user reports put the actual FPE closer to 25 FPE. The .25 quotient version (the Xl 725) will hit even harderbut will have a more than challenging shot trajectory equally velocity will drib in the larger diameter. Users consistently written report amazement at just how hard this burglarize hits. For example, one user reported that his 40 actually punctured a 2-foot tall fire extinguisher…and this was from a altitude of 25 yards! Needless to say, if y'all are a pocket-size game hunter that likes to take game at the larger terminate of that spectrum (e.g., woodchuck, raccoon, large opossum, etc.), the NP XL will put your quarry down –  and do and so in convincing mode.

• Passable Telescopic & Trigger. While you won't exist blown away by it, the included CenterPoint 3-9×40 AO (parallax adjustable) telescopic is definitely passable with fairly clear, bright optics. Too, the trigger on the XL is not really good (and some volition probably hate it), only it is comparatively much meliorate than that on the NP, so from that point of view, it's a plus. At the very least, nosotros don't think you tin legitimately arraign your wandering groups on either. At present, the reliability of the telescopic later on a bit of utilise is another story we'll discuss later….

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  Fairly Repose Shooting. While not equally quiet equally the NP, the NP Xl is actually pretty darn stealthy relative to a typical leap-piston air rifle that is capable of generating this much power. In improver, the gun volition quiet down considerably after suspension in. Oh, please don't be one of those people that complain that this is a "loud" rifle when you are firing lightweight alloy pellets that break the sound barrier! Keep your velocities (especially if opting for the .177 quotient) under thousand FPS and your accuracy volition improve – and nosotros won't accept to hear y'all complain that your Trail is "as loud equally a rimfire"!

• Neat Accuracy. Users consistently note very proficient accurateness with the NP Xl, with reports of i″ groups at considerable distances, upward to l yards, existence mutual. Indeed, you tin can wait even more laser-like shooting with upgraded optics and perhaps an aftermarket trigger. In addition, the XL seems to have a faster pause in period than the NP, then y'all can beginning enjoying tack-driving accurateness much sooner.

• Quality Fit & Finish. The construction of the XL is very robust and solid, admitting perchance a little besides robust for some users. The detailing on the wood stock models is likewise quite nice, and the rifle is all effectually very handsome and masculine looking.

The Bad:

• Big and Heavy. Did we mention this was a beast? With an overall length of 49″ and a total weight budgeted 10 pounds when scoped (it's 8.5 lbs alone), this burglarize looks and feels more like a rimfire than an air rifle. The added weight does have some stabilizing effect as far as mitigating recoil, but the XL can be a bit of a bear to lug around or maintain a hold on when not bench shooting. Definitely non a rifle for immature or female shooters.

• Difficult to Cock. Consistent with its massive ability is the considerable attempt needed to cock the XL, which is somewhere between 45 and 50 lbs. This is cypher to be trivialized either. Even if you are in shape, you may begin to lament having to crack the barrel on this critter. The longer barrel does commencement this to some degree (by giving yous a ameliorate lever), simply if y'all are young, slightly built and/or female, you might desire to effort some other rifle. Respect your limitations.

• A Scope-Eater. While the CenterPoint scope on the philharmonic is decent, it may not hold out for too long on the back of this honking gas-ram. Despite being a gas-piston burglarize, the XL generates impressive "double" recoil typical of high-powered spring-piston rifles. In case, you don't know, this dual-recoil is very hard on scopes, and many study that it renders the CenterPoint useless after a few dozen to several hundred shots. Your mileage is likely to vary, and you may enjoy lots of use from yours, but we propose you get a bottle of loctite and tighten all of the screws/adjustments to get the most out of it.

The Verdict

The Trail NP XL is a real handful, and is not the kind of air rifle that suits new, young or inexperienced users. It also has a lackluster trigger and can really dish out a beating on your eyes.

Nevertheless, it offers the kind of big-time power reserved for PCP and much more than expensive Magnum rifles, and tin can deliver the kind of accuracy and have downwardly power (that is, if y'all tin can cock this bad boy!) downrange that more seasoned air rifle hunters volition appreciate.

We strongly recommend sticking with the .22 or .25 calibers. This rifle in the .177 is like putting bicycle wheels onto a Lamborghini.

3) The Next Generation – The Trail NP2

The Adept:

• Great Power. The Trail NP2 uses Crosman'south revamped gas-piston power plant, which, according to Crosman, makes the NP2 shoot fifteen% faster and "double the constructive shooting range of the original Trail series." Based on the reported velocities in the .22, this doesn't seem far off. Benjamin reports thatNP2 delivers around 25 ft-lbs. at the muzzle; although again astute readers take indicated this is probably inflated and put it closer to twenty-22 FPE. Either way, a very difficult-hitting gas ram rivals the ability of the Xl 1100. Consequently, whatever y'all can hunt with the Forty, you should exist able to tackle with the NP2.

• More Compact. Despite coming close to the ability of the Twoscore, the NP2 is a more compact and slightly lighter rifle, measuring 46″ in full length and weighing 8.iii pounds without the scope.

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• Reduced Cocking Try. One of the benefits of the side by side-gen nitro piston is supposedly easier cocking. Crosman reports a 10-pound reduction in fact. This may be a bit exaggerated based on what we're hearing; however, the cocking effort does not seem near as bad as that required for the 40, which is at least an improvement.

• Quieter/Smoother. Once again, if you compare this gas ram with other models that bring comparable power, the new Trail NP2 is probable to sound adequately quiet and produce a bit less vibration than one would otherwise wait. Although, this may be minimal in an accented sense – this gun volition even so boot.

• Gimmicky Look. There's no denying that the NP2 is a sharp-looking air burglarize, with an interesting stock configuration and accommodating sleek aspect to it.

The Bad:

• Inconsistent Ratings. Although it's normal to have a fraction of users reporting seemingly contradictory experiences regarding things like performance and build quality, the NP2 has had particularly mixed reviews, especially effectually its debut. For case, one user hates the trigger, calling it the worst ever; another says it'south pure joy – the best ever. Some praise its accurateness; and only as many claim they tin't keep their groups together no affair what they do. However, the NP2's reviews have grown consistently more positive over time and most sources now give this model a 4 out of 5 star rating. We are non sure if there were a lot of production or QC bugs that accept been since ironed out or what; in any outcome, we are happy to see this positive tendency.

• Shoddy Construction? While most acknowledge the superficial appeal of this rifle, there accept been some complaints about its build quality. For case, one reviewer likened the finish of the wood stock to the veneer you'd discover on Walmart piece of furniture – something the user didn't desire to scratch for fear of finding what lay beneath it! Others simply had things intermission off prematurely, or received rifles that failed or came with defects, such as butt cracks or loose-fitting, poorly manufactured components.

• Spotty Accuracy/Questionable Trigger. Even though some found the NP2 very accurate and liked the "new" trigger, many users merely couldn't become the NP2 to settle down, and lots of the reviews blame the trigger for non being much different than that used on the original Trail NP.

• Over-Hyped? Every bit mentioned, when the NP2 debuted there were many users who were more disappointed – they really appeared downright hostile to what they viewed as an over-hyped model that did non live up to its marketing material, and the myriad of so-called "expert" reviews on the web. This user in particular seemed to sum upwardly much of this frustration quite eloquently:

"This gun, as the other reviewer stated, is the nigh over hyped…product I've seen in a great while. Information technology's kickback is ridiculous, the trigger, much worse, un shootable, the mount fell off in the outset few shots (supposed to be welded to the barrell). The accuracy was horrific, could exist the trigger which is similar pulling a loaded semi a few inches closer to you on a rough gravel road via the bumper. The cocking endeavour was the same as all other nitro'due south, the noise, comparable at least, and the stock is crude and poorly designed, unless you like hard sharp lines everywhere and have extremely minor hands. The finish is similar they used wood mucilage, smooth only murky, so you lot tin't even run across the grain of the cheap fruitwood."

Once more, now that things have calmed down and the NP2 has been in production for some time, such criticism in our experience is adequately uncommon and the NP2 has since proven itself to be a pretty solid offering, at least relative to the other Ben Trails.

The Verdict

While the NP2 may fall short of the hype surrounding its release, the NP2 does meet the basic claim of providing more power in a relatively smaller gas ram.  Moreover, many of the harsh criticisms levied against the NP2 when it commencement came on the scene – such as poor build quality and wildly inconsistent accuracy – seem to have largely dissipated. And although we are not sure why this is, we are glad to see it because the NP2 is clear footstep in the right direction, nevertheless possible bugs and/or product issues that may accept plagued it initially.

Then Which is Our Favorite Benjamin Trail?

The NP2 has come out of the gates a picayune wobbly; however, it has since demonstrated that information technology does deliver reliable performance and a fairly solid construction.  As such, if y'all are looking for a powerful and relatively more compact gas-ram, the NP2 is the obvious choice since information technology packs considerably more FPE than the original NP, without the weight and majority of the 40.  Yet, the NP2 comes with a significantly stiffer price tag than the NP too, and many yet consider the NP2 to be somewhat cheaply made.

If you are looking for maximum value with a preference for power, we'd take to say we are most fond of the NP Twoscore (specifically, the .22 and .25 caliber versions, the XL 1100 and Twoscore 725). If you are strong and athletic, and are interested in commencement-charge per unit air rifle hunting, you simply can't beat its massive power, solid build, and relatively modest break in period.

On the other hand, if you lot are looking for a more user-friendly, entry-level gas-ram, i.eastward., one that is easier to cock and handle, the original Benjamin Trail NP is probable the better choice – but remember that you will need to put a lot of rounds through information technology at first, and will take to tame (or modify/replace) the stiff trigger to really take advantage of the tack-driving accuracy that the NP is inherently capable of.

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Source: https://www.thebestairrifle.com/review-benjamin-trail-np-xl-np2/

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