Thanks to all that replied: plenty of food for thought. I think I'm going to have to try and get to shoot as many spring pistols as I can and make a choice. I want to go spring as I like the none-dependence on co2 bulbs or air cylinders. I'm comfortable with the idea of handling recoil: I have no problems with a HW95, indeed I went back to a spring rifle as I found PCPs soulless and almost too easy. Each to their own I guess.

Thanks again guys!