Has anyone used an SMK CP1 Co2 pistol?

[1066]

That's a new one for me - Looks a lot more promising as a basis for an entry level pistol. Shades of the old Hammerli single CO2 pistol.

[Brimfire]

Agree with 1066's take on the CP1 - great potential for a project but not a 10m contender.

I was looking for a co2 pistol with a bit more poke and range than a BB plinker and narrowed the choice down to the CP1 and Crosman 2240. What swung things in the CP1's favour was the wood grip and sight dovetails as standard - fitting grips and a steel breech to a 2240 would add another £80 or so.

My CP1-M (.177) arrived in a fairly circuitous route via a friend from a well known gun shop oop north and had a broken rear sight and no single shot tray. The magazines are known to be fiddly and unreliable and was only used once after things jammed up big time on the first outing. I'd recommend the single shot variant or using the shot tray all the time.

A lot of people report that they can't get on with the grip, saying that it forces their wrist into an awkward angle. For me, at least, it does seem more suited to a one handed 10m style hold/stance with the palm shelf making a two handed grip awkward. I can live with that but I did get a great benefit from one of Stuart Waudby's match style trigger guards which open up more room for my large hands.

https://smwengineering.co.uk/collect...1-and-variants

After a little bit of trigger tweaking and with a red dot fitted, I can easily ring three inch steel plates at 25m from standing and I'm happy with that. Chrono'ing gave me 5fpe or so and a useable shot count of between 30-40. Over the winter, I intend to reshape and stipple the grip, polish the internals and index the loading probe to stay open without sliding forward while loading.

If you've read reviews and are sitting on the fence about getting a CP1, I'd say take the plunge. They're cheap, pretty reliable, amenable to tuning with custom parts becoming available and the trigger (after some basic polishing and adjustment) isn't as bad as some people would have you believe.

[Inspector 71]

Another vote for the Lov 21 here. Very capable and easy to load and cock for a youngster.
Not a low sight radius but better lower than CP1, HW75 etc.

[nige346]

And another for the Lov21,

Pro's - Very light, accurate, decent enough trigger and a great low cost entry into 10mtr,

Cons- Made using a lot of plastic, Sights could be better but a small modification sorts this,

Only mention the cons because they're there but don't really deter from a pistol that at less than £100 really is a very capable bargain for 10mtr entry.

Nige

[AaronR]

Thanks all!

The LOV looks good, and found this variant of the CO which may just get my vote if only for its cost and the fact that the wooden grip can be worked more easily than plastic

https://m.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/air-...r-pistol/19764

[LewesNick]

Thanks all!

The LOV looks good, and found this variant of the CO which may just get my vote if only for its cost and the fact that the wooden grip can be worked more easily than plastic

I have a couple of CP1s and think they are great value for money, but I only use them for HFT.
If you are going to modify the grip, another BBS member suggested Milliput which is a two-part epoxy "clay". I've used it on mine and would recommend highly.

[mickson]

I also used the Lov21 Pistol, very consistent, but a bit muzzle light so i added some stick on wheel balance weights which made it easier to hold on target, trigger weight was not to heavy, so a good starter pistol. ...mike...

[1066]

Ok - so after reading all the positive things about the Lov 21 I decided to go ahead and buy one, just to see if I could use it a base to make 10m starter pistol. Unfortunately Sureshot have sold out and not sure if they will get any more in (saying they need to order 100)

I then tried AFG, Czech Republic, listed at EU88 but won't send to uk.

So, any suggestions where these might be available?