My interest/thoughts on replica air pistols

[laverdabru]

Interesting points, Rockhampster. I've got 3 CO2 replicas, 2 revolvers (pellet) & a PO8 BB firer. Love the feel of them, but the disappointing 'phut' when they're fired leaves me cold. The Dan Wesson 8" in particular sometimes can't get the pellets out of the barrel. My Crosman 3576 is more accurate & has never had a misfire. All were bought new.

Some of my older airguns are 70 years old - & don't have issues. The replicas seem to be made of pot/monkey metal, even the junior rifles I own from the '50's are better made with decent metal.

All the best

Bru

[harvey_s]

Sounds like some of the BB gunfighter wannabes are trying to elevate their fun guns beyond the traditional product placement of adolescent playthings...

Sure, some of controls on the replicas might aid gun handling or a particular model - but the actual shooting won't, particularly when the accuracy of them is too poor to highlight the shooters actual deficiencies and firing the real world centrefire equivalent of the BB replicas is such a far more violent event especially with the combat autoloaders.

Years ago Crosman developed a training system using air pistols, but it was a situational tool, designed more to train LEO's when not to pull the trigger.

I think they (or Daisy) also made some sightless rifles to teach 'instinctive' shooting which was quite successful.

So they do have a place as training tools, but just not quite in the way some would like to see them maybe?

[harvey_s]

To the OP...

Just looking at the website in your signature - very interesting, but just wondering where the figures come from that support this claim... "Rapid Airgun Training operates airgun experiences sessions for novice air pistol shooters contemplating taking up the fastest growing sport in the UK"
It would be nice to believe if it's true - is it?

[SkullSeeker]

To the OP...

Just looking at the website in your signature - very interesting, but just wondering where the figures come from that support this claim... "Rapid Airgun Training operates airgun experiences sessions for novice air pistol shooters contemplating taking up the fastest growing sport in the UK"
It would be nice to believe if it's true - is it?

Maybe when somebody substantiates that claim you'll then substantiate your claim....

Sounds like some of the BB gunfighter wannabes are trying to elevate their fun guns beyond the traditional product placement of adolescent playthings...

You can prove that can you ? Or is that just your 'off the cuff' opinion of all CO2 handgun collectors ?

Most of the people I know that shoot and collect CO2 replica handguns are well over 40, most are into their 50's ! As a lot of us were full bore pistol shooters before the Govt. executed operation 'Snatch Back' and since then we have been left with a yearning for any sort of realistic handgun shooting here in the UK. CO2 handguns may well be just plinkers but they are capable of good accuracy right out to 60ft (and before you even question that, yes that can be proved). But that's more down to the shooter than the gun and that maybe where your out dated opinion comes from......you're just a bad shot with a handgun and one of the many people who blamed the gun rather than facing up to the fact that your just rubbish at it.

As for your derogatory remarks towards other members of the air gun fraternity (bb gunfighter wannabes), this only goes to show the narrow minded opinion that you have towards anybody outside of your own very narrow interests. Unfortunately this reflects badly on the hobby/sport in general and certainly does not endear you to new comers seeking sage advice in our wonderful hobby.

Well done for being such a complete arse hat and doing so very little to encourage people to have fun doing whatever they want with whatever they want. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even like airsofters or paintballers either, gosh people having fun with air powered weaponry, dressed in camouflage, what ever next ?

And finally, what pistol training do people in the UK need ? So your explanation of the possible use of CO2 handguns for pistol training is totally redundant seeing as how they are illegal to own here anyhow so no training is ever going to be needed, they're just for fun and should be treated as such. But just because they're fun doesn't make them a toy for adolescent youths, they're fun for anyone who's interested and you should just leave it at that.

Right, I'm glad I got that off my chest, that was very cathartic......

[DAR]

Maybe when somebody substantiates that claim you'll then substantiate your claim....

Sounds like some of the BB gunfighter wannabes are trying to elevate their fun guns beyond the traditional product placement of adolescent playthings...

You can prove that can you ? Or is that just your 'off the cuff' opinion of all CO2 handgun collectors ?

Most of the people I know that shoot and collect CO2 replica handguns are well over 40, most are into their 50's ! As a lot of us were full bore pistol shooters before the Govt. executed operation 'Snatch Back' and since then we have been left with a yearning for any sort of realistic handgun shooting here in the UK. CO2 handguns may well be just plinkers but they are capable of good accuracy right out to 60ft (and before you even question that, yes that can be proved). But that's more down to the shooter than the gun and that maybe where your out dated opinion comes from......you're just a bad shot with a handgun and one of the many people who blamed the gun rather than facing up to the fact that your just rubbish at it.

As for your derogatory remarks towards other members of the air gun fraternity (bb gunfighter wannabes), this only goes to show the narrow minded opinion that you have towards anybody outside of your own very narrow interests. Unfortunately this reflects badly on the hobby/sport in general and certainly does not endear you to new comers seeking sage advice in our wonderful hobby.

Well done for being such a complete arse hat and doing so very little to encourage people to have fun doing whatever they want with whatever they want. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even like airsofters or paintballers either, gosh people having fun with air powered weaponry, dressed in camouflage, what ever next ?

And finally, what pistol training do people in the UK need ? So your explanation of the possible use of CO2 handguns for pistol training is totally redundant seeing as how they are illegal to own here anyhow so no training is ever going to be needed, they're just for fun and should be treated as such. But just because they're fun doesn't make them a toy for adolescent youths, they're fun for anyone who's interested and you should just leave it at that.

Right, I'm glad I got that off my chest, that was very cathartic......

Very well said indeed. I must be one of these gunfighter wannabes that the maligning individual above is referring to so I heartily agree with all you have written in response.

[laverdabru]

Jeez, very suprised at the aggressive comments on this thread. Love all my guns, from the post WW2 BSA/Diana's/Webleys up to newish CO2 pistols.
Think we have enough issues with Big Brother - look at what happened in Scotland - without fighting amongst ourselves.

[harvey_s]

Maybe when somebody substantiates that claim you'll then substantiate your claim....

Sounds like some of the BB gunfighter wannabes are trying to elevate their fun guns beyond the traditional product placement of adolescent playthings...

You can prove that can you ? Or is that just your 'off the cuff' opinion of all CO2 handgun collectors ?

Most of the people I know that shoot and collect CO2 replica handguns are well over 40, most are into their 50's ! As a lot of us were full bore pistol shooters before the Govt. executed operation 'Snatch Back' and since then we have been left with a yearning for any sort of realistic handgun shooting here in the UK. CO2 handguns may well be just plinkers but they are capable of good accuracy right out to 60ft (and before you even question that, yes that can be proved). But that's more down to the shooter than the gun and that maybe where your out dated opinion comes from......you're just a bad shot with a handgun and one of the many people who blamed the gun rather than facing up to the fact that your just rubbish at it.

As for your derogatory remarks towards other members of the air gun fraternity (bb gunfighter wannabes), this only goes to show the narrow minded opinion that you have towards anybody outside of your own very narrow interests. Unfortunately this reflects badly on the hobby/sport in general and certainly does not endear you to new comers seeking sage advice in our wonderful hobby.

Well done for being such a complete arse hat and doing so very little to encourage people to have fun doing whatever they want with whatever they want. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even like airsofters or paintballers either, gosh people having fun with air powered weaponry, dressed in camouflage, what ever next ?

And finally, what pistol training do people in the UK need ? So your explanation of the possible use of CO2 handguns for pistol training is totally redundant seeing as how they are illegal to own here anyhow so no training is ever going to be needed, they're just for fun and should be treated as such. But just because they're fun doesn't make them a toy for adolescent youths, they're fun for anyone who's interested and you should just leave it at that.

Right, I'm glad I got that off my chest, that was very cathartic......

Jesus, you're a touchy little man aren't you...

If you believe that any of the current replica BB guns are anything beyond playthings you're sadly deluded and I'm not too shabby with a handgun - but I look forward to you proving your own boasted accuracy with them at "out to 60' "...

I have no objection to fun gunning whatsoever and with some imagination the BB guns are just that - but trying to elevate them to anything much beyond that is too much of a reach.

Meanwhile, I'm sure your vitriolic little diatribe says more about your own arse hattery than my deliberate bit of cage rattling - you'll probably fit in well with your attitude.

[Modski66]

"If you believe that any of the current replica BB guns are anything beyond playthings you're sadly deluded …"

The law may be an ass, but the law defines airguns as firearms, not playthings.

As an example of how your logic could be applied, what about clay pigeon shooting? it's an activity where people use a firearm to shoot at targets.

If using a co2 replica is also an activity where people use a firearm to shoot at targets, surely your definition must make shotguns mere playthings...

[gingernut]

I agree with Harvey.
He did add a smiley face to soften the blow!

I have many co2 pistols and they are fun and a lot easier to own than real steel.

But as Americans say there ain't no substitute for cubic inches.

[harvey_s]

"If you believe that any of the current replica BB guns are anything beyond playthings you're sadly deluded …"

The law may be an ass, but the law defines airguns as firearms, not playthings.

As an example of how your logic could be applied, what about clay pigeon shooting? it's an activity where people use a firearm to shoot at targets.

If using a co2 replica is also an activity where people use a firearm to shoot at targets, surely your definition must make shotguns mere playthings...

How did you arrive at this conclusion???

A shotgun is designed as an offensive killing weapon whether its aimed at a person or a pheasant - just because you chose to aim it at a clay pigeon does nothing to reduce its lethality or true purpose.

A BB gun is designed as a recreational amusement, it's not a tool nor a weapon designed for any form of lethality.
This does not mean I don't recognise that in the wrong hands it is capable of causing a severe injury or even a potential death in extreme cases...but then again so is a rubber inner tube at the beach!

People may object to term 'plaything' (and in truth I was being a little controversial) - but it is it's real nature.
The law may define it as a weapon, but surely we can agree it has not been designed as such.