Daisy Powerline 1000 Review

Overall Rating

Good points, get better after you learn the gun's quirks...

The screws are an abomination...

After I received my Powerline 1000 for Christmas and couldn't get it sighted I made the rounds here and elsewhere looking for answers. And so it is that with about 500 shots under my belt that I'd like to reciprocate for folks who will get one someday...
1. The trigger thing... I don't get it. I read horror stories about the trigger being too hard to pull. I find that it has a very pleasant weight. Feels solid when you pull it. Unless you have a weak pinkie, ignore comments to the contrary.
2. The screws... Ah yes. I have found that every screw on the thing needs to be tightened severely. Put a screwdriver to any screw that you can get to. I have already told the gun that the next time one works loose, it's a wad of chewing gum on the threads or Locktite! I can't emphasize this strongly enough. The screws are all loose or will get loose. Gotta watch for that.
3. The scope... A little fuzzy, but overall better quality than you would expect. Daisy told me to consider buying better scope mounts, but I like the ones on there just fine. You must put the screwdriver to them...but don't overdo it.
4. The kick... I read one comment about someone complaining about the kick. Well, it does have a kick. I think that's pretty darn nice for a bb gun! It's not much of a kick...but it does feel nice on the shoulder.
5. The pellets... Stay away from fancy pointy pellets. The old Wadcutter is still the best for the task.
6. Cleaning... I purchased, at some expense, a .177 Otis cleaning kit. $30 bucks for a pellet rifle cleaning kit shows how much I love the gun. I have never spent that much for the best gun cleaning kit I have for my regular guns. You do need to clean the gun. I believe, without proof, that it will add to consistency. At the least, you'll agree it is warranted when you see the cosmoline or whatever on your cleaning cloths.
7. Power.... Just shy of a .22 short. Actually kinda scary in an urban environment, so you need to be careful. My gun shoots through my one foot thick Styrofoam backstop directly into the pecan tree behind it with every shot. The squirrels get all the nuts anyway. Well, maybe a little fewer nuts after I begin my harvesting program.

My Christmas present was given to me with those pesky squirrels in mind. We have a LOT more than we need and asking them to leave has never worked. And they chortle and giggle at my catch and release trap. So....step in Mr. Powerline 1000. I live in the city limits, so I can't just blast away with a shotgun. The remedy is my shiny Powerline 1000. Keeping in mind to always shoot UP, I'm confident it will be safe enough. Normally, you wouldn't even have these concerns with your average pellet rifle. Not so with this one. This guns is scary powerful!

My last point is accuracy. I rated it at 5...but it could be a 10 when you learn the system...
Again, I have read many comments that the gun isn't accurate...and likewise, some have no problem. I guess my story veers to inaccuracy. Here is what I found:
After taking care of the loose screw scope thing, I found that my guns shoots one way for the first 2 or 3 shots, and differently thereafter. So, after chasing the tight...and I mean tight groupings around the target, I decided on a strategy to sight in for the first 3 shots.
For several sessions I shot a group of 3, and then adjusted the sight. Then I put the gun up for a day, and repeated until it was dead on at 30 yards. My next chore was to identify where it was grouping with subsequent shots. After the first couple or three shots, the gun shoots low and to the left. Since my main goal is to dissuade those corn, pear, and pecan fed squirrels, the first shot is the most important. With the gun sighted for that, I know that if I hold high and to the right, just so, the gun will still shoot dead on.
I suspect that the spring, which has been described as a garage door opener spring, changes characteristics as you use it. Nothing much to be done for it, really. So, the workaround is to know the two groupings and go with the flow.
If my goal were straight target shooting, I'd fling a half dozen pellets and then start adjusting the scope. The groups are very impressive!
I hope this helps a new user to enjoy their purchase. It really is an awesome yard toy...and should only be used by competent adults.
Norm
http://www.huntereducation.net/

Members' Comments onovdaisy's Review

• ovdaisy on 2nd Aug 2007

  This is an addition to my comments in February. It is now August, and I've shot two tins of Daisy ammo through my Powerline 1000. I'd like to give you an update.
  Well, the gun drove me insane, but it didn't beat me. Seems like everything affected it. Hot, cold, shooting it, not shooting it. Different groupings every time...and the groupings wandered up and down my fancy paper plate targets.
  Then, a couple of weeks ago I came back here and elsewhere seeking answers. Much to my astonishment, I think I may be on top of the situation, finally. And I must tell you that I have NEVER put in so much time with any of my guns, and I have a closet full.
  First, and most importantly, I tossed the scope rings that came with the gun and purchased a one piece mount made by Accushot to fit the 1" scope.
  You know, I don't think the darn scope was EVER stable with the factory mounts. My groups improved tremendously, at least for the first 3-5 shots, anyway.
  Then I ordered a sampler pack of fancy pellets made by Meisterkugeln. You pronounce it... I can't. All of the above from info I gleaned from other users here and abouts in reviews.
  I determined that the absolute best fit for the gun was the "SuperDome" pellet. I affectionately call them "pellet punkin balls" because of the rounded shape of the head. You can get them online from the top airgun suppliers.
  After some success, I came back to the reviews and found that I'm not alone in my admiration for these little zingers.
  The gun still shoots one way for the first 3 to 5 shots, before wandering off to a different grouping...tighter, actually. But, my goal is to have the gun perform for the first shot, since I'm still after those pesky squirrels here. I have found, however, that the groupings are not nearly so different as when I was using those handy Daisy PrecisionMax pellets that you can get everywhere toys are sold. Seems like reviewers average giving the SuperDome pellets a 5 out of 5 and the Daisy pellets something like a 2 out of five. I concur.
  An interesting find of mine is that even though the SuperDome pellets are a little heavier, they must fly better, because I had to really crank the scope down to reach the center of the target. And they are more stable....stay closer to the center as I shoot. (In reverse, the PrecisionMax pellets must fly slower and are much more prone to wandering around the target as the gun warms up.)
  So, here's my current recommendations:
  1. Get your Daisy 1000 single cock gun out of the closet.
  2. Remove the factory scope mounts. Throw them as far away from the gun as you can.
  3. Replace them with the Accushot scope mount for 1" tubes.
  4. Grab your tin of Daisy PrecisionMax pellets and melt them down to make fishing sinkers or tire weights.
  5. Get a tin of SuperDome pellets. You're going to kick yourself when you see the difference!
  
  I have been shooting at 29 yards all along. With the revisions, I now have a really neat pattern. The last shot of the day.... 65 yards. Seems like it took forever to hear the satisfying snick....but then...success!! Just in the black on a squirrel head sized bulls eye! Could have been an accident....but I doubt it. Thanks to all the great reviewers who helped me get on the right track and keep my meager sanity. Good luck and good shooting!
  Norm
  http://www.huntereducation.net/

• patgreen123 on 28th Oct 2007

  It's probably your hold. This goes for all spring guns but unfortunately it's the beginners that don't know how to shoot a springer, that buy the gun because it's cheap. The more expensive guns, more experienced shooters go for and you don't see all the inconsistent reports. You have to hold a spring gun free floated on the palm of your hand only and let the gun recoil freely. Grip it like a firearm and you'll be sorry. As for the spring, I found it to be no different than a spring from other springers like gamo, and crosman. Good job swaping out the scope mounts. Now just get a good recoil proof scope and you'll be all set.

• ovdaisy on 29th Oct 2007

  Many thanks for your comments. I confess that I usually hold the gun with a death grip. I use a shooting stand which is tied down solidly with a towel on top of the rest. The next time I fire off some rounds I'll try sliding my hand between the towel and the gun, holding it more loosely to see how that goes. If I had come anywhere near shooting as many shots from my regular guns as I have this little toy, I'd be broke, and then some! For my life, I don't know why the thing is such fun! Thanks again!
  Norm

• theshootist on 10th Jul 2008

  Very true with respects to the "hands off" approach to the fore grip technique. Magnum springers such as this one need to be able to "buck" on the front. Tightening the foregrip will put your accuracy all over the place.
  I've owned mine for almost 4 years now and have done a TREMENDOUS amount of shooting.
  First, My impression was the same as yours. All bullseyes the first day, the next day, I miss all of the same targets?
  
  SCOPE PROBLEMS-the recoil is SO violent that NO scope mount, aside from a 1pc with arrestor screw will stop this.
  I also have determined that higher quality Beeman brand pellets work with the most consistency.
  Try the Silver arrow .177, they are DEADLY ACCURATE each time on small game.
  Go with a lighter, cheaper pell for targets.
  
  Also, buy a nicer scope and determine the size arrestor screw that you need for the 1 pc mount.
  I called Daisy a few months back and asked Daisy if they offered any kind of trigger smithing, etc.
  they said no, asked me the serial # of my rifle and offered me a complete overhaul FOR FREE!!! No BS. Anthony Stratis was the tech that helped me and he was great!!
  New stock, new sights, free chrony print out, new trigger group.
  WOOOOWEEEEE!
  Still, its' no Webley , but I's throw it up against one ANYDAY!