Beginner Air Pistol

jdfnnl · Feb 16, 2023

Hi, I am looking for some advice on finding a good beginner air pistol. I am not sure if this will become a new hobby, so I would like to keep the associated expenses to a minimum. This would mean a pistol that does not need CO2 or a pump / tank for charging. This would seem to leave break barrel / spring guns as the main category. Thinking of a pistol so that it can easily be thrown into a backpack for covering some ground on foot without the need of a sling. In my search, I ran into the Westlake break barrel pistol as what might be the ideal form factor / size.

Reason for the post is that I believe the Westlake gun may be quite a vintage and not a totally reliable shot out past 20ft. It also does not seem widely available and therefore worth looking at alternatives. Could there be any recommendations for a decent beginner break barrel pistol with a wooden handle? Any general advice or leads for this search would be a boost!

Mrshosted · Feb 16, 2023

I’d look at the IZH46m or AV46m
Or a Daisy 717, 747 or 777
All single stroke pneumatics, but all of them are very good. 10 meter pistols at a budget.

Bob-in-WV · Feb 16, 2023

Get yourself a Crosman 2240. It is co2 but co2 is not that expensive if bought right. The 2240 is a great little gun for not much money. Most spring pistols just aren't that good or accurate.

jccams · Feb 16, 2023

Not sure what your budget is but I love my HW75. Unless you are looking for a challenge I would avoid the spring pistols.

dan_house · Feb 16, 2023

Ive had a few of those. 2 words:

Stay away.... inaccurate, very low power and terrible trigger

Crosman 2240, 1377/1322 are inexspensive if you shop around, and all three have a boat load of aftermarket available

Hateful McNasty · Feb 16, 2023

I like my hatsan 25sc vortex. it's the older nonQE. The new QE type can be had cheap enough now and there spring not gas ram ( no hatsan ram going flat issue

). Lol

https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/mod-25-supercharger-qe/

A referb is $79...

ctshooter · Feb 16, 2023

I agree with the Crosman 2240, but the 2240 XL model as it already has a few good upgrades, as a good pistol to look at. It's CO2 but bring lots of enjoyment for low cost. CO2 carts are really quite inexpensive. This gun will shoot .22 Crrosman Premier pellets quite well too.

If you want totally inexpensive the Beeman P17 is a good starter single stroke pneumatic (SSP) in .177.

Beer Nap · Feb 16, 2023

Browning Buck Mark URX Air Pistol 177 Caliber Pellet, cheap and just fun to shoot at a box full of cardboard inside the house.

silvershooter589 · Feb 16, 2023

You can get a 5000 psi hand pump in Ebay for $35 so you can run a cheap compact PCP

Otherwise just get a BB gun like the Daisy Powerline 415... at least it's fun to shoot at some cans and semi auto holding lots of BBs

Mr303 · Feb 16, 2023

I say look for a Crosman 1377 or 1322.
Cheap rugged upgradeable easy to pump and shoot.
A couple weeks ago I bought the 1377.
I liked it so much I bought a 1322 this week because it was just $56!
Or buy the rifle version. Either way they're not too much money to see how you like the hobby.

I decked out the 1377 with Buck Rail moderator and folding stock topped off with a cheapo red dot.
As a small rifle it is almost perfection. I can shoot less than dime size holes easily and never leave the house during a snowstorm or cold snap. (but the furniture was two times the cost of the gun. too!)

The 1322 will be a good pack gun this summer.

And yes a small PCP pistol is good too but I wanted something that is really simple to haul around and have fun with, and PCP is not as well suited for that if you need to haul a hand pump in my opinion.

MMCM13 · Feb 16, 2023

Bang for the buck, hands down is the Beeman P17. Remarkable accuracy, rail for sight accessories. Lots of info on the internet about these.

Beer Nap · Feb 16, 2023

MMCM13 said:
Bang for the buck, hands down is the Beeman P17. Remarkable accuracy, rail for sight accessories. Lots of info on the internet about these.

Loading it is a PITA unless you have a pellet pen. I was not happy with the grouping but maybe I need to find the right pellet.

Beer Nap · Feb 16, 2023

Mo-Ron said:
I like my hatsan 25sc vortex. it's the older nonQE. The new QE type can be had cheap enough now and there spring not gas ram ( no hatsan ram going flat issue ). Lol

https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/mod-25-supercharger-qe/

A referb is $79...

I like mine in .22 plus it makes for a good club when out of ammo!

shambozzie · Feb 16, 2023

Think long term. Buy once, and be done. Cheaper in long because self supporting . 1, 2, or 3 pumps depending on your need. Did I mention accuracy . Yep, got that also. Zoraki ultra..177 or .22.

AirNGasman · Feb 16, 2023

1) Handgunning is the most challenging of all shooting sports. 2) Spring-piston airguns are the most difficult of all airguns to shoot well. 3) Cheap spring-piston airguns have put more potential airgunners off airgunning than all other power-plants combined. 4) Cheap spring-piston pistols are the worst choice anyone interested in airgunning can make. 5) Do yourself a favor- get over your aversion to Co2 and buy a Crosman Co2 pistol.

Trunion · Feb 16, 2023

Beer Nap said:
Browning Buck Mark URX Air Pistol 177 Caliber Pellet, cheap and just fun to shoot at a box full of cardboard inside the house.

I second the Buck Mark. It cocks easy, fps is around 400, the trigger isn't the greatest but it's certainly not the worst. The sights are good. I dressed mine up with reflective tape on both front and rear, which is fully adjustable. For a <$50 price point you can't go wrong.

jdfnnl · Feb 17, 2023

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations. How many shots can I get from the average charged PCP pistol? shots from one CO2 cartridge?

I imagine accuracy depends in a large part on having sufficient FPS. The main objective with this gun would be to pick off squirrels for my dog, roasted or raw. Would a BB gun be capable of this with less weight at a higher FPS? Not sure if many people noticed, but I am looking for a more classic wooden handle.

Fatmike · Feb 17, 2023

The p17 is a pump but the operation is similar to a break barrel gun. I think its one of the best bang for the buck pistols available. Inexpensive too.

Hateful McNasty · Feb 17, 2023

Squirrel?, Hmmm... I think id go more full power pistol with more ummp then the average +/- 400 fps.

Maybe somthing like the beeman 2027 or diana bandit in a .22 pcp pistol that easy hand punps with a decent 50$ amazon pump..

"I imagine accuracy depends in a large part on having sufficient FPs "

NO.

I have co2 stuff and got buying and fooling with powerlets got old..

maxtrouble · Feb 17, 2023

These are hard to beat for the price. A lot of bang for the buck.

The Crosman American Classic Air Pistol, Part One

The Crosman American Classic air pistol had its origins back in the 1970s. Often known by its manufacturer’s model number as the Crosman 1377, it’s been manufacturer in huge numbers over the years.Ron Jones takes a good look at this iconic air pistol and why it still has a place for today’s...

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Beginner Air Pistol

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