Benjamin EB22 .22 Caliber CO2 Pistol - Quick Review

Last year, I had an opportunity to finally find and buy (at a greatly discounted price) the Benjamin EB 22 air pistol. I've always been on the prowl for a 22 caliber higher velocity (but still within PAL limits) CO2 pistol, preferably a repeater, but I don't believe such an animal exists, so when I had an opportunity to get the EB22, I didn't hesitate. I got it for around $127.00, though I also had an additional 20% taken off due to the discount I had, but then, 14% taxes were added back. Anyhow, it probably came out around $115.00 or so, all in, which was very good, considering the fact that last year, this was about $160.00 + tax.

My EB22 came in a box (very refreshing, considering all other pistols come in that modern age pain-in the-butt oversized sealed plastic) that was obviously a EB17 box with factory replacement stickers to cover anything that says EB17. So the specs on the box would not be accurate. It came with a manual (that covers the EB17/EB20/EB22), as well as a Crosman plastic keyed-trigger safety (that's one thing I have always liked about Crosman products).

I've always liked the Benjamin series (the Benjamin airguns are all made by Crosman), with the all- metal construction and read hardwood grips. Sure, the 2240 is about 60% cheaper, but it's pretty plasticky. The EB22 is in the same family as the EB17 and EB20, the numbers obviously reflect caliber. The gun is a bolt action, with the bolt being at the back of the gun, not the side of the breech. Operating the bolt is pretty straightforward with a slight twist and pull (and push/twist to close). I'd prefer the side-bolt, since it seems easier to operate - believe it or not, you can actually jam the skin of your thumb on the EB22 bolt when you are twisting it if you don't do it right.

The weight of the gun feels good in the hands, and while I've never been a fan of wood grips (to me a grip is a grip is a grip), I can now see where I was mistaken. Plastic grips slip and are less comfortable than wood. The CO2 canister is inserted below the barrel and a twisting cap secures it in place. I believe the initial trigger pull pierces the powerlet. There is a manual cross-bolt safety in place, and while there are no onboard rails to mount accessories, I was able to purchase some add-on 3/8" two-piece dovetail mounts which clamp onto the breech. I don't have anything at this point to mount on it, but left the clamps on anyway.

As for performance, two things. 1) This gun is REALLY loud, even louder than the 2240, I would say. I'd prefer quite over loud, but since sound suppressors are illegal, I'll just put up with the noise. I am hoping the noise is not caused by the CO2 dispersal, but I am pretty sure it is, and if the shots per powerlet are any indication (I got around 24-28, which is terrible usage), much of the sound is caused by too much escaping gas. That should probably be fixed, since I can get around 55+ shots off one 12gram powerlet on the 2240. 2) The accuracy with open sights is really good (not just because it has a rifled steel barrel). The trigger pull is adequate and not long and I was able to get close groupings with all my shots at the range.

In terms of speed/velocity, I haven't an opportunity to chrony it yet. The marketing and Crosman website says it's up to 500FPS (pretty darn good for a non-PAL .22 cal), most other places say it is around 400FPS. There is a suggestion that the newer EB22s shoot harder out of the box. I can't qualify this, however.

Overall, I'd say that I am MORE than pleased with my purchase. I wished that I didn't go through so much CO2 with this pistol (and it wasn't so darn loud), but in terms of look, feel and performance, you can't go wrong with a Benjamin.