Your "keeper" pistols - let's hear what and why

[Marc.RG1]

To be honest chap, I thought the M45 was a Umarex pellet shooter. I admired the finish on pics I've seen but I haven't seen one in the flesh. What I like about your polished 1911 is that you have taken the time to get it stamped and have polished it to the extent that it no longer looks like pot metal!!

Cheers mate, bigjob did a great job on my pistol, the graving is very good and i just keep the polished look tip top.
lol so many people i show my 1911 at gun club think its the real thing, and im not just talking about people who only shot or own airguns, i got the engraving matched quite well and looks and feels the part because the metal has been polished to a mirror finish it does feel like nice smooth steel, if you cant own the real thing, you should own one of these..

Happy shooting all..

[Rob M]

I'm a collector, and I love or like all of my airguns for different reasons. Sometimes they're family heirlooms, my BSA Scorpion, HW45 (wouldn't keep the HW45 if it were not for the fact that it's one of the guns my Uncle left to me in his will) or the Em-Ge Zenit for instance. Sometimes it's because I've resurrected a basket case with some hard work and been pleased with the results, such as some of my Hy-Scores and my other BSA Scorpion. Sometimes it's just because some aspect of their design appeals to me. Sometimes it's because of their heritage, such as the BSAs and Webleys. Sometimes it's because they're just great air pistols.

Current collection:

Webley Mk1
Webley Senior
Webley Premier
2X Webley Tempests in .177
Webley Tempest .22
2X Webley Nemesis

Accles and Shelvoke Warrior

Abas Major

2x BSA 240 Magnum .177
BSA Scorpion .22
BSA Scorpion .177

2X Hy-Score Sporters
Hy-Score Sportster
Hy-Score 800 Target .177
Hy-Score 800 Target .22

Baikal IZH-53

Record Jumbo
Record Champion

Cometa Indian

Rutten Winstar HS550

Em-Ge Zenit

Weihrauch HW45

Lovena Lov-2

Barnett Nitro

Diana Sp50

Gamo AF-10

The real keepers that I would really hate having to part with: The Abas Major, the BSA Scorpion .22, the Em-Ge Zenit, one of the Tempests in particular, one of the Hy-Score Sporters. The old steel Webleys.

[Gray2267]

For me its the mp 654k. Its not the most powerful or accurate of pistols but it is very authentic, looks and feels right. Has a positive action and it just does it for me.

[razor500]

BSA .177 Magnum,my father brought it for me back in 95
Was knocking snails off my garden wall with it this morning,great air pistol,shoots as good as the day it was brought.
Ray...

[Nikkormat]

My FWB65. It's as close to perfect as anything I've ever used, and it will never be sold.

[Phil G]

Many years ago I bought (used) an HW45 that left the factory "in the silver" made in 1989. I subsequently bought three extra barrels. Now have 177, 22, 20 and 25.
Here. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...IMG_0938-1.jpg

A few weeks ago an HW45 Black Star came along and to be honest, although essentially the same pistol, it's a beaut'

My original is pushing 4.3 ft lbs and the new Black Star 5.2 ft lbs. New spring and seal have been bought of the older one, just need time to fit them.

[Garvin]

My FWB65. It's as close to perfect as anything I've ever used, and it will never be sold.

I'm with you on this one, Matt. As a collector of this model I have several and every one is a keeper - at least it's like pulling teeth getting rid of one, as I have to do from time to time.

My thoughts on this model.

[Geezer]

Having just finally acquired an LP80, and like you having spent what money I had in the 80s on hunting rifles (including an FWB 127) I know exactly what you mean. Of my twelve or more pistols it is currently the last one that I might part with.

There is something very special about them, and I can't think of any other gun of any type that won Olympic medals for so long.

If my gun buying fund was now not a bit depleted I would be actively on the hunt for an early 65 with plastic grips and a "Mk 2" shorty. Just give it time......

Great article.

I'm with you on this one, Matt. As a collector of this model I have several and every one is a keeper - at least it's like pulling teeth getting rid of one, as I have to do from time to time.

My thoughts on this model.

[laverdabru]

Can't see me ever selling my early Hurricane or '60's Senior. Years ago I sold my banana barrel Mk 1, regretted it ever since. The CO2's I have just don't have the same 'feel', I'm afraid.

[AC99]

If I had to keep just one pistol from my collection it would be the pre-war Webley Mk1 - the first 'serious' air pistol I ever owned and probably one of the least valuable. This would be closely followed by the FWB65 with which I competed in numerous matches and competitions in the 70's and 80's and I still have it.

I bought the mk1 in 1957 from the boy who sat next to me in class at school for 30 shillings (£1.50) and it gave me hours of pleasure in the summer holidays, weekends and summer evenings so it holds a strong emotional attachment. Along with a Senior, Airsporter, and two Webley mk3's acquired while still at school in the 1950's these became the nucleus of a collection which I started to build rather late in life in 1997, after the handgun ban. Since then my collection has grown to 100+ but these more recent acquisitions were on a 'wanted' list and hold none of the attachment that the two listed above have.

[Benelli B76]

Can't see me ever selling my early Hurricane or '60's Senior. Years ago I sold my banana barrel Mk 1, regretted it ever since. The CO2's I have just don't have the same 'feel', I'm afraid.

I don't think you should discount all the CO2 pistols. I agree with you regarding the modern ones available now.The old bronze models are solid quality and also shoot very well, better than the Webleys. Here is one of mine, the Benjamin 257.

Baz

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb055e4a.jpg

[laverdabru]

Not dissing older C02 pistols, just disappointed with one I've recently bought new. The Crosman 357 was good for the price, the Luger bb I've had great fun with - & it was very cheap, but the Dan Wesson 8", pricey - feels well made, but give me my old Wobbley's any time. At least I know the pellet will leave the barrel.

Bru

[beagle2]

I don't think you should discount all the CO2 pistols. I agree with you regarding the modern ones available now.The old bronze models are solid quality and also shoot very well, better than the Webleys. Here is one of mine, the Benjamin 257.

Baz

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb055e4a.jpg

I had one of those sum time ago lovely gun it had a beautiful custom wooden grip on it but could I shoot the bloody thing for some reason I could not hit a barn door with it funny really as I am quite good with the old spring webley pistols I gave up trying in the end and sold it.

[Hsing-ee]

They are all a load of crap except the Feinwerkbau 65, the Walther LP53 and the Brno B96 semi-auto.

[Benelli B76]

I had one of those sum time ago lovely gun it had a beautiful custom wooden grip on it but could I shoot the bloody thing for some reason I could not hit a barn door with it funny really as I am quite good with the old spring webley pistols I gave up trying in the end and sold it.

Should have gone to Specsavers!