Which air pistol for centerfire pistol practice?

[Rob M]

I'd go for a Tempest too, they last a lifetime if looked after, are easy to look after, simulate the recoil and have a simple sight picture that probably matches a proper pistol. They are accurate enough if you persevere, true, not as accurate as genuine target pistols but better than purely plinking accuracy. Plus they are a classic!

[RobinC]

The Walther LP53 was designed as a centrefire match training pistol, the spring is vertical in the grip to produce an interesting recoil and the trigger weight is 1360 gms, and as some one has already said the FWB 65 has a switch setting to increase the trigger weight to the old centrefire weight of 1360 gms and it was designed to have a screw and washer lock the recoil sledge to produce recoil for CF practice. Both are collectors pieces that would grace any collection and the 65 is still a good match air pistol in standard mode.
Best regards
Robin

[Powderfinger]

Any of the Webley overlever pistols (Hurricane, Tempest, Premier, Senior, Junior or even older versions) make excellent firearm trainers. The nature of the recoil, the compact size and the heavy triggers are all beneficial. The trigger will teach correct trigger control, the recoil will teach proper hold and the short, stiff cocking stroke will tone up your muscles. See "Survival Guns" by Mel Tappan (1976) for the full write-up.

[magicniner]

Hands up all those offering advice who are doing so from actual experience with airgun practice and full bore results
Hand up here boss!
Nick

[Powderfinger]

I speak from experience. I used to be a pretty good centrefire-pistol shot back in the good old days. I won the Centre Gun Club championship two years running. I put a lot of that success down to hours of garage practice with my Webley Tempest and dad's Hy-Score. I still have a target that I put sixty shots into one evening with the Wobbly Webley. Cocking the Tempest put some gristle in my skinny teenage arms. How great would it be to have our pistols back...

[magicniner]

Have a read of this on Target Bunny's site

http://www.targetbunny.btik.com/atta...Manual_1_1.pdf

http://www.targetbunny.btik.com/atta...Manual_2_1.pdf

For some brilliant full bore shooting, practice and training tips,
Regards,
Nick

[MrGreengrass]

Hw45.. for all the reasons above.

[derekm]

If you want some inspiration, check out this one:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...10&pr=goog-sl#

Shooting like that must be very satisfying.

[Jim McArthur]

Any of the Webley overlever pistols (Hurricane, Tempest, Premier, Senior, Junior or even older versions) make excellent firearm trainers. The nature of the recoil, the compact size and the heavy triggers are all beneficial. The trigger will teach correct trigger control, the recoil will teach proper hold and the short, stiff cocking stroke will tone up your muscles. See "Survival Guns" by Mel Tappan (1976) for the full write-up.

Ah, Powderfinger, now you've done it! I used to WANT a Webley pistol: now I NEED one!

Jim

[RobinC]

Pre Blair I shot UIT (pre ISSF) centrefire match, 30 slowfire, 30 dueling at 25 mts with a S&W K38 Bowler grips, bought the Walther LP53 to train with. I then changed to a TOZ 36 7.62mm nagant system revolver (look it up on Pilkguns, 3P files, beautifull pistol) which almost had less recoil than the Walther! Changed to a .32 Walther GSP at the end when the Russian ammo sadly dryed up.
Nostagically yours,
Robin.

[Jim McArthur]

Pre Blair I shot UIT (pre ISSF) centrefire match, 30 slowfire, 30 dueling at 25 mts with a S&W K38 Bowler grips, bought the Walther LP53 to train with. I then changed to a TOZ 36 7.62mm nagant system revolver (look it up on Pilkguns, 3P files, beautifull pistol) which almost had less recoil than the Walther! Changed to a .32 Walther GSP at the end when the Russian ammo sadly dryed up.
Nostagically yours,
Robin.

Those were the grand old days of pistol shooting, Robin.

Jim

[markH]

You didn't say what centre fire guns you are shooting. If you're shooting revolver then the Umarex 586 is ideal practice for the for a .357.

O.K you don't get the recoil but d/a and s/a trigger pulls are very close to a Smith and the general feel and pointability are near identical to a real 586.

[Arnold Layne]

You didn't say what centre fire guns you are shooting. If you're shooting revolver then the Umarex 586 is ideal practice for the for a .357.

O.K you don't get the recoil but d/a and s/a trigger pulls are very close to a Smith and the general feel and pointability are near identical to a real 586.

I would agree, fairly close, you can even d/a and pause at the s/a point which is key to shooting fast and accuratly, but the real pistol has greater mass in the cylinder making this better carried out with the real weapon and snap caps .... but i have to say the S&W look alike was a suprise to shoot in terms of feel,

[markH]

I never actually owned a 586, I had a model 19 for a few years (£140.00 from Parker Hale), but by the time the 586 came out I did most of my shooting with a 1911.. at Torbay fullbore club, not far from you Arnold.

But I would point out that you don't get to kill tin cans with snap caps.

[ratgunner]

Welcome to The BBS

For centrefire feel in an airgun pistol ???

Webley & Scott (All Models)
Heinrich Weihrauch 45 Spring
Heinrich Weihrauch 70 (break Barrel) Spring