Vintage Air Pistols

[readyfisher9]

I got to collecting older air pistols , both spring and CO2 powered last year. Latest count is 11. I plink with them out to 25 yards , but mostly at 15 yards. Some , like the Crosman Mk1 and MK2 shoot rather well. Anyone else share this addiction ?The last pistol with the Zebrawood grips is not vintage , but from the Crosman Custom Shop.

 

[readyfisher9]

The latest purchase is a Hy Score Md. 800. They were made from 1947 until 1970. It has a very unique cocking method , unlike most other spring powered pistols. Very solid steel construction. This gun is in .177 caliber.

 

[crosman2016]

Man OP, those are nice. I really like that Crosman, from the custom shop.

 

[readyfisher9]

It can do inch or less 25 yard groups , probably better with a better engineer at the controls. I ordered the Lothar Walther barrel. Not a long wait , and the price was not bad considering what I got. The Crosman MK1 in .22 is a grouper as well. They made them nice back then. Since the picture was taken , I sent it to airgunsmith in North Dakota for a paint and finish job , a value blow out for more power , and a complete re-seal. A little over $100 , and a long wait , but worth it. It looks new , and mind you , that pistol was made about 1976 or so. The weight and balance is like an older all steel Ruger Mk1 , which was Crosman's model replication.

 

[Jonah]

I agree that the vintage air pistols are a lot of fun. I have a Crosman Mark 1, 115. 600, Benjamin 137, Sheridan E20, 2 each S&W 79g, S&W 78G. Along with a 6" 2240, 7 1/2" 224 and a 10" 2250 along with Crosman 2289 and 2 each 1322, 2 each Hahn 45. Great fun finding these guns and bringing them back to life. The Mark 1 is by far the most accurate. I regularly shoot hanging tennis ball at 30 yards with the Mark 1. Can even hit a hanging empty CO2 cartridge at 30 yards if the wind is not blowing it all around.

 

[mobilemail]

One day I am going to snag a S&W 78G. I was shooting my Beeman 800 last night!

 

[readyfisher9]

The Smith and Wesson 78G and 79G are great pistols , but the Crosman MK1 is a touch better , more accurate pistol , IMO. I have them both , and shooting them off a bench with sand bag rest , the Crosman is ahead. Order a Crosman 2300KT from the Crosman Custom Shop. Get the Walther barrel , and the steel breech. When it shows up , put a pistol scope on it. It is crazy accurate ! They will engrave your name on it free. Waiting time was not bad.

 

[Jonah]

Put one of the old B-Square Ruger scope mounts on the Crosman Mark 1 and you will really see how accurate the Marl 1 is.

 

[mobilemail]

"Jonah"Put one of the old B-Square Ruger scope mounts on the Crosman Mark 1 and you will really see how accurate the Marl 1 is.

I live in Illinois, Crosman won't ship guns here, regardless of type or caliber. At least, that was true the last time I tried.

 

[Kev]

Readyfisher9, thanks for sharing. You have a nice collection of some my favorite vintage CO2 pistols.

Another unique thing about the Crosman Mark 1 and 11 are the two different power levels dependent on how you cock the gun. The lower power makes for a great shop plinker and adds to shot count on an air pistol that already gets over 50 shots on a single CO2 powerlet. You guys that own these pistols are well aware of their quality with some of them having tens of thousands of shots through them over decades of use. 

 

[readyfisher9]

Yelp , a lot of bang for the buck. Mac1 or airgunsmith in North Dakota can improve the velocity by working on the valve. You get less shots per co2 cylinder , but I buy those in bulk. Mac1 does some amazing things with the Crosman Mk1.

 

[Kev]

Readyfisher9 you and I are on the same page. I really enjoy shooting my Mac 1 LD, which is an air pistol that is capable of sub inch groups at 50 yards.