Crosman

Overview

Crosman Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets pellet and BB rifles and pistols, Copperhead ammunition, Benjamin pellet rifles and ammunition, airsoft products, and precision optics. It employs over 300 people domestically and markets products globally in the airgun industry.¹

History

Crosman Corporation was founded on March 17, 1923, by William Crosman and John Rowe in Rochester, New York, with commercial operations starting in 1924 and the first product being the Model 101 air rifle.² The company expanded to a larger facility in Rochester in 1930 and acquired the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in 1992, entering the high-power airgun market.² Further acquisitions included CenterPoint Optics in 2015 for sports optics and Game Face airsoft brand in 2018 to diversify its portfolio.²

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Crosman maintains manufacturing facilities in Rochester, New York, where it produces its airguns domestically.¹² The company designs and manufactures products in-house as an international designer and manufacturer.¹

Notable Products

• Model 101 - First product, multi-stroke pneumatic air rifle from 1924.
• Benjamin Air Rifles - High-power pneumatic rifles acquired via 1992 purchase of Benjamin.
• Rogue - Regulated PCP air rifle introduced in 2007.
• Copperhead BBs - Popular copper-coated BB ammunition.
• Game Face Airsoft - Airsoft rifles and pistols from 2018 acquisition.

Reputation

Crosman is recognized by enthusiasts as a leader in affordable, reliable airguns for plinking, target practice, and entry-level hunting, with strong heritage from its early American manufacturing.¹² The Benjamin line receives praise from professionals for high-power performance in hunting applications.² Criticisms include perceptions of lower-end Crosman models as less durable compared to premium competitors, though innovations like PCP rifles have improved its standing.²