Back to shooting....so looking for a recommendation

[charub]

Every now and then I get a hankering to play with an air pistol. Over the years I have had various different makes and models - HW45, HW40, tempest, CP88. All nice, but have never really gelled with any of them and sold them on after a brief period.
My latest hankering has been fed by the purchase of an original model 10 - what a gamechanger, obviously it is more target oriented thus more accurate. In a nutshell, more enjoyable to shoot.

If I was you, I’d be looking at one of the older self contained pistols, be it spring or SSP. If you get bored and you bought wisely, you should be able to get your money back when you/if you sell on.

Just my thoughts.

[Tony.T]

Every now and then I get a hankering to play with an air pistol. Over the years I have had various different makes and models - HW45, HW40, tempest, CP88. All nice, but have never really gelled with any of them and sold them on after a brief period.
My latest hankering has been fed by the purchase of an original model 10 - what a gamechanger, obviously it is more target oriented thus more accurate. In a nutshell, more enjoyable to shoot.

If I was you, I’d be looking at one of the older self contained pistols, be it spring or SSP. If you get bored and you bought wisely, you should be able to get your money back when you/if you sell on.

Just my thoughts.

I was thinking just the same- but wanted to be a bit more general if you understand?

The Model 10 is the pistol I used for intercounty postal comps 30 years ago. I still have medals and trophies from then. An astounding pistol that I stupidly sold on- only to replace a few tears ago for old times sake! Still use it for competitive shooting and with concentration it still holds it's own

[Geezer]

I was thinking just the same- but wanted to be a bit more general if you understand?

The Model 10 is the pistol I used for intercounty postal comps 30 years ago. I still have medals and trophies from then. An astounding pistol that I stupidly sold on- only to replace a few tears ago for old times sake! Still use it for competitive shooting and with concentration it still holds it's own

Model 10 here too! It’s great.

Also some 6s, FWB80, and 2xFAS604s. And a surprisingly good older Gamo Compact.

As long as you stay at 10M or less, the FAS is also very nice. Comparatively small, looks and feels like a “real” gun, easy to charge, very nice sights and trigger.

[Tony.T]

Model 10 here too! It’s great.

Also some 6s, FWB80, and 2xFAS604s. And a surprisingly good older Gamo Compact.

As long as you stay at 10M or less, the FAS is also very nice. Comparatively small, looks and feels like a “real” gun, easy to charge, very nice sights and trigger.

The FAS is quite a nice surprise. I used to shoot alongside several club members using them while I was shooting my 10. Never tried one- after all why should I try a Ford when I was shooting a Bentley? I bought a S/H one a couple of years ago... how wrong I was. Fabulous little pistol that looks and feels like a powder burner (and in fact it's built on the same chassis I believe.) Highly recommended for a person new to the sport. Mine is a keeper.

[CORKY.]

I tried the Webley Alecto, could not get on with it at all. Heavy, uncomfortable grip, the .22 does not have a silencer, the .177 does. I can only assume that the .22 is quieter in the first place. Already having PCP rifles I had the easy option to go the PCP route. Instantly smitten with the HW44, .22 , more accuracy than I need, silencer available, VERY comfortable to hold/use, more so than the Steyr LP50 I owned. I also now have a Beeman P17 , real value for money, available in .177 and .22, I have the .22. Not high on power but accurate at 10 metres, comfortable. . Open sights are best for this, because you need to grip the barrel to cock it, scope or red dot would get in the way. I bought the HW44 first, it is expensive, and very good. However , if I had bought the Beeman P17 first, which is exceptional value, and Fun, I don't think I would have bought the HW 44. Welcome to the Forum.

[Madoldlad401]

I tried the Webley Alecto, could not get on with it at all. Heavy, uncomfortable grip, the .22 does not have a silencer, the .177 does. I can only assume that the .22 is quieter in the first place. Already having PCP rifles I had the easy option to go the PCP route. Instantly smitten with the HW44, .22 , more accuracy than I need, silencer available, VERY comfortable to hold/use, more so than the Steyr LP50 I owned. I also now have a Beeman P17 , real value for money, available in .177 and .22, I have the .22. Not high on power but accurate at 10 metres, comfortable. . Open sights are best for this, because you need to grip the barrel to cock it, scope or red dot would get in the way. I bought the HW44 first, it is expensive, and very good. However , if I had bought the Beeman P17 first, which is exceptional value, and Fun, I don't think I would have bought the HW 44. Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Corky,
did you get the scope and silencer with the HW44?

[CORKY.]

Hi Corky,
did you get the scope and silencer with the HW44?

I bought the silencer later, not really needed in my back garden, I usually wait for the neighbours to go to work, it's the targets that make the noise. The whole silencer is a bit of a faff to remove/replace with the allen screws, but if you can tolerate the look, the barrel part of the silencer unscrews, leaving the adaptor in place, or you can just buy a bigger case. Yes I bought a PAO zoom scope, not used it yet, just tried it for size and eye relief. The accuracy with open sights is amazing at 10 metres. Last pistol was a Gatt, back in the last century, way back, and I couldn't hit the fence with that. Power has been mentioned, The HW44 flattens the pellets, the Beeman P17 does not, but they both shoot accurately which is the name of the game , unless you insist on putting holes through paint tins. Availability, I walked across 3 fields and a golf course to my local RFD for the Beeman, he had both calibres in stock. My son found a sharp edge somewhere, which was simple to round off, it has a great trigger, it costs nothing shoots well, and is FUN, just don't trap your nipple

[rapidresponse1]

welcome to the forum enjoy your shooting bud

[Madoldlad401]

So I’d like to say thankyou for all your input and responses, really helpful.
I ended up getting talking to a chap at work mentioned air pistols he mentions his son used to shoot a pistol but has packed it in. I ask what pistol does he have what is he doing with them......no idea comes the reply....conversation ends.
Yesterday same chap collars me as I pass him passes me a piece of paper saying son has 2 pistols he is selling both prices and names of pistols on the bit of paper along with his telephone number.

So I have ended up with a HW44 .177 in its box with the 2 magazines, a pao 2x 20 scope in its box unused with mounts and a pump all seen very little use less than 3 months old all at a very good price. Excellent can’t wait to have a play.....
Only thing missing was a silencer so I’m on the lookout for one if anyone knows of or has one for sale ......it’s in the wanted section already

[Tony.T]

So I’d like to say thankyou for all your input and responses, really helpful.
I ended up getting talking to a chap at work mentioned air pistols he mentions his son used to shoot a pistol but has packed it in. I ask what pistol does he have what is he doing with them......no idea comes the reply....conversation ends.
Yesterday same chap collars me as I pass him passes me a piece of paper saying son has 2 pistols he is selling both prices and names of pistols on the bit of paper along with his telephone number.

So I have ended up with a HW44 .177 in its box with the 2 magazines, a pao 2x 20 scope in its box unused with mounts and a pump all seen very little use less than 3 months old all at a very good price. Excellent can’t wait to have a play.....
Only thing missing was a silencer so I’m on the lookout for one if anyone knows of or has one for sale ......it’s in the wanted section already

What a result- well done! Enjoy it

[Madoldlad401]

Every now and then I get a hankering to play with an air pistol. Over the years I have had various different makes and models - HW45, HW40, tempest, CP88. All nice, but have never really gelled with any of them and sold them on after a brief period.
My latest hankering has been fed by the purchase of an original model 10 - what a gamechanger, obviously it is more target oriented thus more accurate. In a nutshell, more enjoyable to shoot.

If I was you, I’d be looking at one of the older self contained pistols, be it spring or SSP. If you get bored and you bought wisely, you should be able to get your money back when you/if you sell on.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks for the reply, can you give me some more detail.....model 10 , I aren’t sure what that refers to?

[Geezer]

Thanks for the reply, can you give me some more detail.....model 10 , I aren’t sure what that refers to?

M&G Diana “Original” brand (in U.K.) LP10 recoilless 10M match pistol from the 70s and 80s.

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....iana-model-10/

Awesome pistol. Doesn’t hurt that it looks like a sci-fi ray gun.

[Lostkiwi]

I also have a Beeman P17 and it's a great little gun. I compared the HW40 and Beeman side by side in the shop and there wasn't a huge difference in external quality, just a few tougher edges on the plastic in the Beeman but at around half the price of the HW40 I bought the P17 and gave the tougher edges a light sand with wet and dry.

As another alternative the Artemis PP700 is a great little PCP pistol though starting to push your budget by the time you get a pump as well (though my £30 one has been faultless for the past 6 months). It also doesn't have elevation adjustment on the sight.
Also consider the Diana Bandit pistol. Unregulated PCP but at £150 from Macavoys it's a real bargain, even with RFD transfer.
https://www.mcavoyguns.co.uk/content...ir-pistol.html

[hwtyger]

First, make up yr mind what exactly you want. If you want match youll never be happy with a HW or Gamo Compact. They just are nót matchpistols.
For match, I always repeat, the Tau 7 is very hard to beat
If you dont want CO2 than maybe spring but Diana LP10 etc are old, seals areold, needs overhauling, not everything available anymore...(seal etc are but not specific things). I prefer the LP6. LP10 grip is too thin.
Would advice ssp. Theyre very awkward to cock. Wouldnt advice FEWB sidelevers either. They have a very weird off balance, very light up front heavy at the back
And awkward to cock as well.
Maybe as semi Daisy 717/747? Dunno if still available
UK Tempests etc are huge fun but at their best at 6yrds
Very much like LP5 magnum. But its large and heavy; not for 1 handed. And not madea nymore either