A good all round starter Pistol

[Dan Latham]

Hello all,

As the title suggests I am looking for a good all rounder. Primarily used for target shooting so accuracy is a must. I'm a springer fan too so not afraid of the gun being hold sensitive.

My research so far has turned up the "Weihrauch HW45" which looks like a very serious bit of kit. I had hoped to find something for closer to the £200 mark but if paying the extra will make a massive difference in quality then i would probably opt for that.

So the questions are:
Any experience with the HW45 or opinions on the gun?
What are some good alternatives?

I am completely new to the pistol shooting game so any advice you can give will be very gratefully received!

All the best,
Dan

[mikehill]

If you like the idea of a springer, but with much less recoil, then I'd recommend a FWB 65 or 80. Old, but superbly engineered and extremely accurate. Was the Olympic standard for years and can be got from £160 upwards. I'd never think of selling mine, it's that good

[Dan Latham]

Interesting! I'm going to have a look into that one. Thanks for the tip, comes in under price too! excellent. got some reading to do now

Thanks Mike.

Dan

[Bjacobs571]

Don't forget the Orginal mod5 to mod10 pistols, they are also good. and some models are recoilless as well.
Also the Walther LP53 or Predom pistols or even a Webley Typhoon.
The HW45 is a well built solid pistol but can be hard to master. The FWB65/80/90 is a great pistol but you will be lucky to get a good one for less than £225. In my opinion the 80/90 is better than the 65 as they have a better trigger.
If you are good with recoil then any classic style Webley pistol they are better built than a hw45.
There are also some cracking SSP pistols as well.

[gingernut]

As a newbie you might struggle a bit with the 45 which also requires stamina to cock.

I agree with Mr Hill and the Original 6 and 10 M are good too.

HW 40 might be a good start.


And there is one in Sales for £90.

[Dan Latham]

Don't forget the Orginal mod5 to mod10 pistols, they are also good. and some models are recoilless as well.
Also the Walther LP53 or Predom pistols or even a Webley Typhoon.
The HW45 is a well built solid pistol but can be hard to master. The FWB65/80/90 is a great pistol but you will be lucky to get a good one for less than £225. In my opinion the 80/90 is better than the 65 as they have a better trigger.
If you are good with recoil then any classic style Webley pistol they are better built than a hw45.
There are also some cracking SSP pistols as well.

I hear what your saying. the HW45 gets lots of great reviews and is clearly a good bit of kit but might be something for me to graduate to at a later date if i fancy it. Going to check out those other recommendations and do some homework.

Thanks very much for the advice!

[Dan Latham]

I do find it hard to resist a good deal...

I should get access to the sales section soon so will check that one out as soon as I am able.

I'm having a look at the original's now too.

Thanks very much for the input!

As a newbie you might struggle a bit with the 45 which also requires stamina to cock.

I agree with Mr Hill and the Original 6 and 10 M are good too.

HW 40 might be a good start.


And there is one in Sales for £90.

[hwtyger]

target: lp6/10
plinker: lp5, daisy 717/747, cometa indian...
dunno the hw45, theyre illegal here

[Dan Latham]

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions. I have plenty of homework to do now... Lots of youtube videos to watch and reviews to read!

So far the HW40 for £90 seems almost too tempting to pass up on so might keep my fingers crossed that it is still there when i am allowed access.

Those FWB pistols look incredible too so might have to earmark that for the future as a pistol to graduate to (unless i see one for an amazing deal of course).

Thanks again for all the input, it is very much appreciated.

[I. J.]

Another vote for the FWB65 or 80. The Original 'Giss' systems pistols can have trouble with barrel alignment. Ive seen a few with up swept or down swept barrel.

Welcome aboard Dan.

HTH
Ian

[JCB357]

Dan. I'm planning to get a HW45 - it's on my Xmas list. But if you really want accuracy and only want to have one pistol then look out for a secondhand FAS 604. I have one of these and it's superb.

I shoot in the UBC competitions - ssp class, CO2 class ('precision') and the Police Pistol class (with a 1911). I want a HW45 so I can also shoot in the springer class next season.

[Geezer]

Lots of good advice here. The HW70 is also worth a look.

There are few good Spring pistols made these days, since the rise in popularity of CO2 guns. It does mean there are good second-hand guns to be had at good value prices, like the Webley Hurricane, BSA Scorpion, Diana 5, etc.

[Inspector 71]

If you're open to a CO2 powered pistol then have a look at the Lov 21. It's light, accurate and has the look of an Eastern European semi-auto if that floats any of your fleet. It's also less than £100!