Owner's Manual
MODEL RCT525 RECRUIT
.177 Caliber (4.5 mm) Pellet/BB Pneumatic Air Rifle
OWNER’S MANUAL
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS AIRGUN
Crosman Corporation
7629 Routes 5 & 20
East Bloomfield, NY 14443
www.crosman.com
1-800-7AIRGUN (724-7486) RCT525-515
WARNING:
Not a toy. Adult supervision required. Misuse or careless use may cause serious
injury or death. May be dangerous up to 500 yards (457meters).
YOU AND OTHERS WITH YOU SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR SHOOTING GLASSES TO PROTECT YOUR EYES.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
BUYER AND USER HAVE THE DUTY TO OBEY ALL LAWS ABOUT THE USE AND OWNERSHIP OF THIS AIRGUN.
THIS AIRGUN IS INTENDED FOR USE BY THOSE 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
WARNING:
Do not brandish or display this airgun in public – it may confuse people and may
be a crime. Police and others may think it is a rearm. Do not change the coloration and markings to
make it look more like a rearm. That is dangerous and may be a crime.
WARNING:
Lead pellets. Do not inhale dust or put pellets in mouth. Wash hands after han-
dling. This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects (or other reproductive harm.)
Please read this owner’s manual completely. And remember, this airgun is not a toy. Treat it with the same respect
you would a firearm. Always carefully follow the safety instructions found in this owner’s manual and keep this
manual in a safe place for future use.
If you have any questions regarding your new airgun, please contact Crosman at 1-800-724-7486, 585-657-
6161 or www.crosman.com.
1. Learning the Parts of Your New Airgun
Learning the names of the parts of your new airgun will help you understand your owner’s manual. Use this
manual to increase your enjoyment of this airgun.
A. Adjustable Stock B. Stock C.Trigger D. Trigger Guard E. Safety F. Bolt. G. Pellet Clip H. Loading Groove
I. Rear Sight J. Barrel K. Front Sight L. Forearm M. BB Retainer Button N. Stock Release Lever
2. Operating the Safety
WARNING:
Keep the airgun in the “ON SAFE” position until you are actually ready to shoot.
A. To Put the Airgun “ON SAFE:”
•Locatethesafetydirectlyinfrontofthetrigger.
•Pushthesafetyfromtheleftsidein(Fig.2).The safety is not “ON SAFE” unless it is
pushed all the way in and the RED ring around the left side of the safety is
NOT showing.
Like all mechanical devices, an airgun safety can fail. Even when the safety is “ON SAFE”,
you should continue to handle the airgun safely. NEVER point the airgun at any person.
NEVER point the air gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
B. To Take the Airgun “OFF SAFE”
•Pushthesafetyfromtherightsidein.WhenyoucanseetheREDringaroundtheleftsideofthesafety,
the airgun is “OFF SAFE” and can be fired.
3. Pumping the Airgun
WARNING:
: Always hold the forearm rmly when pumping forearm to prevent possible injury.
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”.(SeeStep2A)
•PointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION.
WARNING:
Never pump your airgun more than 10 times. Over-pumping can cause major
damage to your airgun. Pumping more than 10 times may also leave a small amount of air in the
airgun after it is red which may allow you to re a second shot without additional pumping.
•Opentheforearmallthewayuntilitstops(Fig.3).Besuretoholdtheforearmrmlyasyouopenit.Place
your hands in the same positions shown in Fig. 3 in order to avoid being pinched, should you lose hold of
the forearm. Do not twist the forearm while pumping. Use straight strokes to prevent breakage.
•Besuretopumpatleast3times,butnomorethan10times.
•Returntheforearmtotheoriginalclosedpositionwithasmoothstroke.Besuretoholdtheforearmrmly
as you close it.
NOTE: You must follow the procedure for pumping, loading and firing your airgun each time you shoot.
4. Loading and Unloading BBs
Your airgun gun was designed to work with Crosman branded ammunition. These include
CROSMAN, COPPERHEAD, and BENJAMIN. Use of other ammunition may cause your
gun to malfunction.
A. Loading BBs
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”(SeeStep2A).
•PointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION.
•LocatetheBBloadingportontheleftsideofthereceiver.(Fig1.)
•Slidetheloadingportcovertowardtherearoftheairgun.
•Pournomorethan200BBsintothehole.Donotputpelletsinthereservoirhole
because they will jam the reservoir.
•Closetheloadingportcover.
•PulltheBBretainerbuttonback(Fig.5).
•Pointthebarrelstraightdown.
•Withahandtwistingmotion,shakeandtwisttheairgun(SeeFig.5)tollthe
visual magazine.
•PushtheBBretainerbuttonforwardtokeeptheBBsinthemagazine(Fig.6).
•Positionthepelletclipsothattheboltwillfeedthroughoneofthepelletchambers.
•Withthebarreltilteddownward,cocktheboltbypullingitallthewaybackandthen
pushing it all the way forward. The magnetic bolt will pick up a BB. (As you push the
bolt forward slowly, you can see the BB move through the pellet clip)
•TheBBisnowinpositiontoberedoutofthebarrelafterreadingandfollowing
section 6 on aiming and firing safely.
NOTE: BBs will not transfer from the magazine to the barrel if the airgun is tilted upward.
B. Unloading BBs by Firing
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”(SeeStep2A).
•PulltheBBretainerbuttonback(Fig7).
•Tiltthebarrelupward.
•Withahandtwistingmotion,shakeandtwisttheairgununtilALLoftheBBsareout
of the visual magazine.
•PushtheBBretainerbuttonforwardtoblockBBsfromthevisualmagazine.
•Tilttheairgun(barreldownward),pointinginaSAFEDIRECTION.
•Pulltheboltallthewaybackandthenslowlyforwardlookingtoseeif
there is a BB on the magnetic bolt.
•Ifyourairgunisnotpumped,followsection3onpumpingyourairgun.
•PointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION;take“OFFSAFE”(SeeStep2B)
and fire. This will unload BB from the magnetic bolt.
•RepeatthisunloadingprocedureuntilnoBBsarevisibleonthemagnetic
bolt. REMEMBER: BBs will not transfer from the magazine to the barrel if
the airgun is tilted upward.
•ToremoveBBsfromreservoir,openloadingportcoverturngunsotheholeisfacingdownandshake
the gun until you no longer hear BBs in the reservoir.
•REMEMBERTOALWAYSTREATYOURAIRGUNASIFITISLOADED.
5. Loading and Unloading Pellets
A. Loading Pellets
•UnloadalloftheBBsfromtheairgun(SeeStep4B).DONOTloadapelletwhenBBs
are loaded in the airgun. It may cause a jam.
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”(SeeStep2A).
•PointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION.
•Placeapellet(noserst),ineachofthevepelletchambers(Fig.8).IMPORTANT:To
avoid jams or deforming pellets, make sure each pellet skirt is level or slightly below
the rim of the pellet chamber.
•Pulltheboltallthewayback.
•Placethepelletclipintothegunasshowningure9,makingsuretolineuponeofthepelletchambers
with the barrel chamber. IMPORTANT: If the pellet clip is not lined up properly, you will not be able to push
the bolt forward.
•Pushtheboltallthewayforward.Thepelletisnowinapositiontoreoutofthebarrelafterreadingand
following section 6 on aiming and firing safely.
B. Unloading Pellets
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”(SeeStep2A).
•Removethepelletclip(SeeStep5A).
•Usingaramrod,gentlypusheachpelletoutoftheclip.
IMPORTANT: Never use sharp metal tools to remove pellets.
•Laytheclipaside.
•Withtheairgun“ONSAFE”(SeeStep2A),pumptheairgunthreetimes(SeeStep3)
and cock the bolt by pulling it all the way back and pushing it forward.
•Taketheairgun“OFFSAFE”(SeeStep2B),pointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION
and pull the trigger to fire.
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”.
•AnotherwayofunloadingtheairgunistofollowthedirectionslistedunderStep7.-
Removing a Jammed BB or Pellet.
•Puttheemptyclipbackinyourairgun.
6. Adjusting the Stock Length
Your gun is designed with an adjustable stock to accomodate the user’s needs.
To adjust the stock hold the stock release lever up.
Pull the stock back and/or push forward to the desired position and release lever.
7. Aiming and Firing Safely
A. Aiming the Airgun
•AlwayspointyourairguninaSAFEDIRECTION.
•Youandotherswithyoushouldalwayswearshootingglassestoprotect
your eyes.
•Donotshootathardsurfacesoratthesurfaceofwater.TheBBorpelletmay
bounce off or ricochet and hit someone or something you had not intended to hit.
•Alwayschooseyourtargetcarefully.Forexample,youmaywishtoshootat
paper bulls-eye targets that are attached to a safe backstop such as the
Crosman 850 Target Trap. A heavy blanket should be hung behind the target
trap to prevent ricochet should you miss the backstop.
•Yourairgunisdesignedfortargetshootingandissuitedforbothindoorand
outdoor use. Always remember to place your target carefully. THINK about
what you will hit if you miss the target.
•Followtheinstructionsforpumping(Section3)andloadingBB(Section4A)or
pellets (Section 5A)
•Theairguniscorrectlyaimedwhenthefrontsightbladeispositionedexactly
in the center of the notch of the rear sight. The top of the front sight blade
should be even with the top of the notch in the rear sight. The bulls-eye should
appear to rest on the top of the front sight. (Fig. 10)
•Whenyouaresureofyourtargetandbackstop,andtheareaaroundthetargetis
clear, take the airgun “OFF SAFE” (See section 2B) and pull the trigger to fire.
NOTE: You must follow the procedure for pumping, loading and firing your airgun each time
you shoot. (See sections 3-5)
B. Sight Adjustment
The rear sight may be adjusted to shoot higher or lower (elevation). Move the rear sight
elevator back to make the BB or pellet hit higher on the target. Move the rear sight elevator
forward to make the BB or pellet hit lower on the target. When moving the elevator, slightly
lift the rear sight with one hand, and move the elevator with the other hand and reset it on
the desired notch. (Fig. 12)
The rear sight may also be adjusted to shoot right or left (windage). Loosen the windage adjustment screws by
turning them counterclockwise. Move the sight to the right to make the BB or pellet hit to the right on the target.
Move the sight to the left to make the BB or pellet hit to the left of the target. Then tighten the windage adjust-
ment screws by turning them clockwise. (Fig. 12)
8. Removing a Jammed BB or Pellet
•Donotreloadtheairgun.
•Puttheairgun“ONSAFE”.
•PointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION.
•UnloadtheBBsfromthevisualmagazine(SeeSection4B).
•Withtheairgun“ONSAFE”,opentheboltbypullingitallthewayback.
•WhilepointinginSAFEDIRECTION,holdtheguninthepositionshown
in Figure 13.
•Inserta.177caliberramrodintothebarrelandcarefullypushthejammedBBorpelletoutofthegun.
Do not try to reuse the BB or pellet.
•Ifyouarenotabletounjamyourairgunbyfollowingtheunloadingprocedure,takenofurtheraction.
An Authorized Service Station will unjam your air gun.
9. Maintaining Your Airgun
•Beforeyouattempttooilyourairgun,makesurethegunisONSAFE,unloadedandtheairhasbeen
removed (see Section 4B and 5B.)
•Yourairgunwillmaintainproperfunctionlongerifyouoilitevery250shots.Put1dropofCrosman0241
Pellgunoil® on the pump pivot pins and the pump cup in the pump mechanism. (Fig 15) DO NOT use
petroleum distillate based oil or solvent and DO NOT over-oil as this can cause damage to your gun.
•Closetheforearm,pointtheairguninaSAFEDIRECTION,takeOFFSAFE,andpullthetrigger.
•AlightcoatofPellgunoilonthebarrelhelpspreventrust.
•DONOTMODIFYORALTERYOURAIRGUN.Attemptstomodifytheairguninanywayinconsistentwith
this manual may make your airgun unsafe to use, cause serious injury or death, and will void the warranty.
•Ifyoudropyourairgun,visuallychecktoseethatnodamagehasoccurredtothegun.Ifanythingseems
changed, like a shorter or weaker trigger pull, this may mean worn out or broken parts. Call Crosman
customer service for assistance before using your airgun again.
10. Reviewing Safety
•Neverpointtheairgunatanypersonoratanythingyoudonotintendtoshoot.
•Alwaystreattheairgunasthoughitisloadedandwiththesamerespectyouwouldarearm.
•AlwaysaiminaSAFEDIRECTION.AlwayskeepthemuzzleoftheairgunpointedinaSAFEDIRECTION.
•Alwayskeeptheairgun“ONSAFE”untilyouarereadytoshoot.
•Alwayschecktoseeiftheairgunis“ONSAFE”andunloadedwhengettingitfromanotherpersonorfromstorage.
•Alwayskeepyourngeroffthetriggerandoutofthetriggerguarduntilreadytoshoot.
•Youandotherswithyoushouldalwayswearshootingglassestoprotectyoureyes.
•Ifyourreadingorprescriptionglassesarenotsafetyglassesmakesureyouwearshootingglassesoveryour
regular glasses.
•UsethepropersizeBBorpelletforyourairgun..177caliber(4.5mm)pelletorBB.
•Neverreuseammunition.
•Donotshootathardsurfacesoratthesurfaceofwater.TheBBorpelletmaybounceofforricochetandhit
someone or something you had not intended to hit.
•Placethebackstopinalocationthatwillbesafeshouldthebackstopfail.
•Yourbackstopshouldbecheckedforwearbeforeandaftereachuse.Allbackstopsaresubjecttowear
and will eventually fail. Replace your backstop if the surface is worn or damaged or if a ricochet occurs.
•Donotattempttodisassembleortamperwithyourairgun.UseanAuthorizedServiceStation.Using
unauthorized repair centers or modifying the function of your airgun in any way may be unsafe and will
void your warranty.
•AlwayskeepyourCrosBlock®triggerblockinplacewhenstoringthisairgun.Storeairguninasecure
location. (See CrosBlock instructions packaged with this airgun for assistance)
•Beforeyoustoreyourairgun,makesureitisunloaded,notcharged,andtheairgunis“ONSAFE.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Mechanism Bolt action Reservoir 200 BBs
Power Source Pneumatic pump action Sights
Rear: Elevation and windage adjustable
Front: Fiber optic
Caliber/Ammunition
BB cal. (4.5 mm) Steel Airgun Shot
.177 cal. (4.5 mm) Lead Airgun Pellet
Safety Cross bolt
Magazine
18 BBs
5 Shot Manual Pellet Clip
Velocity
Up to 680 fps (207.26 m/s) BB
Up to 645 fps (196.6 m/s) Pellet
PERFORMANCE
Many factors affect velocity, including brand of projectile, type of projectile, lubrication, barrel condition and tem-
perature.
We recommend the use of Copperhead® BBs and Crosman®.177 pellets with this gun. This airgun ammunition
is designed for use in your airgun.
DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE.
Our friendly customer service representatives will be glad to help. You can get answers to frequently asked
questions at www.crosman.com or you can contact us directly at 1-800-7AIRGUN (1-800-724-7486)
REPAIR SERVICE
If your airgun needs repair, we recommend you take or send it to your nearest Crosman Authorized Service Station. DO NOT
ATTEMPTTODISASSEMBLEIT!Yourairgunrequiresspecialtoolsandxturestorepairit.Anydisassemblyormodicationnotper-
formed by an Authorized Service Station will void the warranty.
A SPECIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
Crosman Authorized Service Stations will unjam your airgun at no cost during the warranty period.
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY
This product is warranted to the retail consumer for one year from date of retail purchase against defects in material and workmanship
and is transferable. To register the serial number of your airgun, please return the airgun registration form. The warranty is not condi-
tioned on the return of the card. You should retain the original sales receipt as record of date of purchase.
WHAT IS COVERED
Replacement parts and labor. Transportation charges to consumer for repaired product.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
Transportation charges to Authorized Service Station for product. Damages caused by abuse, modification or failure to perform normal
maintenance–seeOwner’sManual.Anyotherexpense.CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES,INCIDENTALDAMAGES,ORINCIDENTAL
EXPENSES INCLUDING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDEN-
TALORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGESSOTHEABOVELIMITATIONOREXCLUSIONMAYNOTAPPLYTOYOU.
HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY PERFORMANCE
U.S. Customers- Locate nearest service station (see www.Crosman.com or call Crosman customer service at 800-724-7486 for list
of stations). The service station will give you details of how to proceed with sending the item in for repair. You must contact the station
prior to shipping your product.
International Customers- Please return product to your nearest distributor. If you do not know your distributor, please call 585-657-
6161 and ask for our International Department for assistance.
IMPLIED WARRANTIES
Any implied warranties including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are limited in the duration
to one year from the date of retail purchase. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above
limitations may not apply to you.
Totheextentanyprovisionofthiswarrantyisprohibitedbyfederal,stateormunicipallaw,whichcannotbepreempted,itshallnotbe
applicable. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state.
CROSMAN, COPPERHEAD, PELLGUNOIL and CROSBLOCK are registered trademarks of Crosman Corporation in the United States.