Heathaway Plainsman 175 sharpshooter

[Septicdeath]

Healthways made four basic CO2 pistols, the Plainsman, the Plainsmaster, the Shorty and the Western. They also made two rifles. Heathaways best known the plainsman 175 co2 pistol.

Then In 1973 Heathway produced another pistol, a spring/piston powered one, first called the Sharpshooter then the Topscore. Although it was little BB repeater, The whole barrel and action were raised to force back the piston which was located in the gun's butt. The BB magazine was accessed through a hopper under the barrel, a system found mostly on Sharpshooters. The later model, theTopscore featured a slide on top of the barrel. 

The one pictured here is fantastic condition. It shot before it was cleaned and oiled. a few screw tightened. left to sit overnight. Tested over crony 10 shots averaged 318fps. Shot target form 15ft to test *see pic.

The Plainsman 175 sharpshooter is so much fun to shoot in a compact sleek pistol. A very innovative and thought out design, something different. 

I do love the old advertisement. 

 

[HeyU]

Hey, now that's unique. Thx Sd

 

[Bulletbob]

I really like the clean lines of this pistol. Very modern looking.

God Bless

Bobby

 

[Steveoo]

As a word of warning here, be very careful with it and maybe keep it as a none shooting collectable which will surely gain in value, in the fabulous condition you have there. It might even be quite an important piece in that condition as very few survived.

The gun was imported here into England during the 70s in large numbers, together with the venerable Crosman 1300 pistol, but while some of those 1300s are still going strong, the Topscore (as it was called here) failed within weeks of shooting it. The pistol is littered with die cast parts which are subject to metal fatigue after quite short use. Triggers and the pivot bearings would crack after a few 1000 cycles.

For my money, Plainsman were onto a world beater with this design concept, but used the wrong materials. Beautifully sleek and a joy to handle. Just imagine if it had been built from quality alloy, with a solid barrel, instead the 2 half casing with seam. Maybe a single shot pellet version with rifled barrel. It would have have been untouchable in the mid price point if they had built it from decent materials. Maybe it should be re-introduced with steel parts..

 

[Septicdeath]

As a word of warning here, be very careful with it and maybe keep it as a none shooting collectable which will surely gain in value, in the fabulous condition you have there. It might even be quite an important piece in that condition as very few survived.

The gun was imported here into England during the 70s in large numbers, together with the venerable Crosman 1300 pistol, but while some of those 1300s are still going strong, the Topscore (as it was called here) failed within weeks of shooting it. The pistol is littered with die cast parts which are subject to metal fatigue after quite short use. Triggers and the pivot bearings would crack after a few 1000 cycles.

For my money, Plainsman were onto a world beater with this design concept, but used the wrong materials. Beautifully sleek and a joy to handle. Just imagine if it had been built from quality alloy, with a solid barrel, instead the 2 half casing with seam. Maybe a single shot pellet version with rifled barrel. It would have have been untouchable in the mid price point if they had built it from decent materials. Maybe it should be re-introduced with steel parts..

I plan on shooting it only on occasion. Just to make sure I stays functional 

 

[Steveoo]

Its the way to go buddy. Its got to become a valuable collectable a bit like certain Dinky toys did in this country a few years back. It was due to the pot metal zinc alloy castings (so called monkey metal) that caused most to split on the casting seams or getting crushed under foot…to the point where some of the more rare specimens now make 100s of pounds sterling if in good shape.

You might have the best example left in the world.