by B.B. Pelletier
Today, I’ll finish the CP99 Limited Edition report. Boy, has this ever been a learning experience! I’ll cover accuracy, the laser and an experiment with the compensator.
Range
I shot at 25 feet from a rest. Instead of shooting just five, I shot all eight to empty the clip. All shots were single-action for best accuracy. The same three pellets used yesterday for velocity testing were also used for range testing. Right off the bat, the Beeman Lasers proved themselves to be not right for this pistol. They were all over the place, and 8 shots delivered a 2″ group.
Hobbys were better
RWS Hobbys proved to be much better, grouping in about 1-1/8″. I would have done more with them had the next pellet not turned out so well.
Crosman Competition Wadcutters were best
Crosman Competition Wadcutters are good for this pistol! The best groups were well under one inch – for 8 shots, not 5! The first group was shot with open sights and was good and tight. I did throw one called flyer to the right of the group, but the rest were good and tight. The hold was 6 o’clock and the pellets hit at 7, which means the pistol is sighted to hit the point of aim. It’s hitting to the left of aim but at the correct height. Good thing, too, because the sights are not adjustable for elevation and only by drifting the rear sight can you get any windage.
With the compensator
When the comp is on the gun, the sights are useless. I thought about installing a dot sight, but to put on a Walther dot I happened to have meant removing the rear sight. It is held in its slot by friction and, because this is a borrowed gun, I didn’t want to possibly mark it up knocking out the sight. So, I noticed where the laser was sighted, which turned out to be very close to the sights. With the comp installed, the laser beam was placed in the center of the bull for the two targets you see.
Shot at 25 feet from a rested gun. Target on the right is with open sights and the one flyer was called. Target in the center was with the compensator installed and using the laser. Target on the left is with the comp taped up. Coin at top is one Euro; at bottom is a quarter.
Shooting with the laser was even easier than shooting with open sights! The trigger had a nasty creep that began to work itself in as the shooting continued. Without that creep, these groups would have been smaller. It feels like it will go after more of a break-in, but it’s too soon to tell for sure.
The laser
Gotta tell you, the laser proved to be a lifesaver. With the open sights blinded by the compensator and no dot sight available, it was the only sighting reference I had. You can see by the targets that it works. The one flaw is that this laser cannot be adjusted in any direction, so the shooter has to use Kentucky windage to hit the target. Mine was shooting 1/2″ high and 2.5″ to the left at 25 feet.
When the laser is on, the shooter has two status lights shining back at him. They are at the bottom front of the triggerguard, and the laser light is on the fabric.
Silencer?
The final test was to tape up the holes in the compensator and listen to the report. A reader said it would be quieter. I used duct tape, but black electrician’s tape would have looked better. The first shot startled me – by how much the noise was reduced. I don’t own an audiometer, but it sounded like 2/3 of the noise was gone. If you own this gun, this is something to try.
It’s not pretty, but it does work. Taping up the compensator this way lets you shoot this gun in a small apartment.
Accuracy with the compensator?
I can’t say accuracy increased with the comp installed, but it certainly doesn’t get worse, either. As you may notice, I tried it with the comp taped up, too. No difference as far as I can see.
The Walther CP99 Limited Edition certainly has a lot going for it. Good looks, accuracy, great accessories and a wonderfully ergonomic air pistol for the action shooter. With Father’s Day approaching, isn’t it nice to have some present options to hand out?
I’m thinking that any compensator equipped airgun would become quieter if one taped the holes. Correct?
What about a 10-meter pistol? Those comps are so short they couldn’t do very much. Just look at the design of the Hanmmerli 480 comp and you’ll see it would be very difficult to tape over the holes because they are in the muzzle.
For guns like the CP99 that was tested, yes, it probably works tjhe same for all of them.
B.B.
BB
Do you know if that compensator fits on the CP99 Compact.
MCA
I know for a fact that it doesn’t.
B.B.
bb,
do you think the barreta xx-treme comp. will work the same way?
Dave
Dave,
Probably.
B.B.
Hello
Can you do a review of the STUTZEN by Gamo because that gun looks cool and I am hoping that the 50lb cocking effort does not seem that much.
Also what really makes a gus so hard to cock because some are 28lb for 1000 fps and others like this one is 950 fps for 50 lb effort?
Can you explane this or show me where to find this infromation?
Have you ever jacked up a car with a ratcheting mechanical jack? If so, you know the answer to your question. Leverage. Some guns have good cocking leverage while others, like the Stutzen, do not.
Believe me, you will hate the effort after only a few shots.
I may get to it, but I have already tested the BSA Stutzen, and since Gamo owns BSA, I have to believe the two are very similar. Heavy cocking, harsh firing behavior and mediocre accuracy were the three major drawbacks.
Thant you for the answer (Ionly have a permit for driving so a car jack is a little out of my experense (no flats yet (thats really good)))
B.B. I have the CP99 Laser pistol. Can the Compensator be purchased for it? Don.
B.B., have you handled and fired the gamo r-77 revolver? I’m interested in this one but I’m not sure of the accuracy.
hi bb
i was wondering if firearm shooters are plauged with the same scopestop problems as airgunners?
Nate in Mass
bb,
if you use a break barrel that has a gas spring, will temp. effect you shot greatly?
Dave
bb,
can the crosman airgun bolts be used in a breakbarrel, more geared to the fact of , will it hurt the barrel, or the riffeling?
Don,
Does your barrel protrude from the frame of the gun nand it is threaded with male threads?
Even if it is, however, I don’t think the compensator is avaliable for separate sale.
B.B.
Sam,
The R77 falls into the same general category of all short-barreled CO2 pistols. It will group about 1-1/8-inch at 10 meters if you are careful.
B.B.
Nate,
Firearm shooters solved the scope movement issue in the 19th century. Then they did it again in the middle of the 20th, when scopes came into widespread use.
Fifty years ago, they had to drill holes in their receivers and tap them for small screws to hold the scope mount bases. Then Sako taught them all that a receiver can be built with scope mounting in mind from the start. Today, most commercial firerarms come with scope mount provisions built in.
B.B.
Dave,
Coiled steel springs change their velocity when the temp gets very low (around zero F). Gas springs are better because they are lubricated very lightly. Only PCPs are better at low temperatures.
B.B.
Airgun bolts,
Airgun bolts should only be used in guns with smooth bores. They will injure the rifling.
I’m not sure whether or not guns that can also shoot BBs are okay with bolts.
B.B.
hey, I know this is off topoc, but I was wondering if I would be able to take a groundhog with my cf-x. Its a .177, and I use RWS Superdome pellets. BB, i know you wont see this until monday or tuesday, but if anyone else has anything it would be appreciated.
We have to get rid of this groundhog in our yard, but I still want to be humane about it.
Thanks
The CFX is not the best gun for a groundhog. At ten yards or less it is fine if you are good for a head shot. Be ready for a second shot. I shot i groundhog and i thought its was a normal kill. It kicked over and started twitching. I did not bother shooting it again and it maniged to turn back over and run away. It happens. I will not use that break barrel again. I will use a 22 ciliber for them. Probibly my career 707.
As stated, groundhogs (woodchucks) are very tough critters. They have absorbed hits from .38 Special revolvers and still run away. However, a good shot who knows where the brain is located has a good chance at an instant kill.
Before trying this, hit five dimes in a row at the same engagement distance. Then know where to make that brain shot!
B.B.
Hey BB,
I think a bicycle tube would work well rather then the duct tape. You could pick up a few different sized tubes for free at your local bike shop… the ones they will throw out from the days flat repairs. I bet a 700c (road bike) style tube would fit nice and tight over the comp and would look better then duct tape or black electrical tape. You could give a single wrap of black tape at each end to secure if you thought it was needed.
plinker,
Good idea.
B.B.
Thanks for the knowledge. I think we’ll try the trap first while im trying to hit five dimes in a row consistently.
Glad I didn’t just try it.
B.B.,
Excellent reporting on the CP99. I don’t want to stir up a hornets nest here but is there any concern that by taping up the compensator in order to reduce the report one might be accused of manufacturing an unlicensed silencer. I understand that this is an “air pistol” and not a firearm and to be truthfull the ease of doing this was one of the reasons I originally purchased this pistol. However, after reading Tom Gaylords articles on “silencers” I had concerns about doing so. Your thoughts on this are most appreciated.
Thanks,
Loneshooter
BB,
Please disregard my question about the legality of taping the holes in the comp. I found where you answered that question as a late addition to the Part 2 blog.
Loneshooter
EVERYONE,
GO TO AIRFORCEAIRGUNS.COM AIR FORCE IS BRINGING A TARGET RIFLE TO THE MARKET.
-sumo
hey bb i think you should post a blog on airsoft rifles and like what kind people should get based on their age and skill level and such along with some tests you have done and how to improve your accurcey and stuff like that. it would be a great help thanks.
P.S. keep the good blogs coming their full of usefull information
DEAR BB,
I REALLY ENJOY YOUR ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY. I HAVE AN OFF TOPIC PROBLEM AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE I KNOW OF WHO MAY BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. I SHOOT FROM A WHEELCHAIR WITH A SPECIAL SET UP BUT IT SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE SCIENCE OF THINGS. I PURCHASED LAST WEEK A RWS 850 MAGNUM WITH A LEAPERS 6-24 SCOPE AND LEAPER MOUNTS FROM PYRAMYD AIR. I AM SHOOTING A TARGET OUT TO 30 YARDS WITH LEFT AND RIGHT ON QUE. THE ELAVATION IS TURNED UP AS FAR AS IT WILL GO AND I AM STILL 2 INCHES LOW.WHAT HAVE I DONE? I REALLY NEEED THIS TO WORK.I BROUGHT THE TARGET TO 10 YARDS AND STARTED FROM O AGAIN, ONLY TO END UP WITH THE SAME SITUATION, 2INCHES LOW. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
BB,
After doing that big bore stuff hows about going into little big bores. Like the shinsung / careers. I am interested in the infenity and the new career 707 with the single air tank. You have never done a report on them. Thanks.
vector811,
you need to get a b-square adjustable scope mount. lots of ppl have that problem, and the adjustable mount will let you adjust as much as you need…the only bad thing about it is it costs a bit much for a mount.
Dave
I found something interesting while going through the attic today.
I found 3 Beeman Precision Airgun Guides from 1982 & 1983 and a number of Beeman Airgun News pamplets from 1983. Haven’t had a chance to go through them yet, but they are in very good condition.
Here’s some 1982 Beeman prices…read them and weep
Beeman R7 – $159.50
Beeman R8 – $249.50
Beeman Hurrican (special purchase) – $89.95
Beeman/Webley Tempest – $99.95
Beeman R1 – $329.50
Beeman Carbine C1 – $169.50
Beeman R5 – $309.50
Airsoft rifle,
I have another report on an airsoft long gun coming soon.
As for age appropriateness, I need to give that some thought.
B.B.
VECTOR811,
You have a problem commonly called barrel droop. And you will not be accurate with the scope turned up all the way anyhow, so that needs to be corrected.
What you need is adjustable scope rings, that will allow the scope to be positioned looking down, relative to the barrel. That will bring your shots up and allow you to move the adjustment knobs back to the center of their range.
An easier solution is to get an adjustable scope riser to which your current rinmgs will attach. Because you own the 850, which is a CO2 gun, this is possible.
Set the rear of the riser higher than the front and the situation will be corrected. Look at the picture that comes with the product here:
/product/b-square-17011-11mm-to-11mm-riser-base-adjustable?a=299
I also recommend that you go to the articles section of this website and read all the scope-related articles.
B.B.
I will be doing more reports on smallbore air rifles from Korea later this year.
B.B.
Here’s a photo of the Beeman publications
http://img182.imagevenue.com/view.php?image=71094_beeman_122_515lo.jpg
The August 1984 edition of the Beeman Shooter News shows the following:
NEW! Introducing the Beeman FX-1 and FX-2 Air Rifles!
Beeman FX-1 $139.95
Beeman FX-2 $109.95
New! Beeman/FWB 600 – One to Watch at the ’84 Olympics!
Beeman/FWB 600 $875.00
NEW! Amazing Beeman P1 Magnum – Most Powerful Air Pistol Made Today
Beeman P1 Magnum Regular Retail price: $189.95
Beeman P1 Magnum Introductory price: $169.95
bb,
just wanted to ask if the review on the b50 is coming soon?
thanks.
B50,
Probably not until the end of summer at the earliest.
B.B.
Dear bb,
Thank you for your advice on the 850 magnum. I purchased bsa riser, a chrono, and some pellets you recomended a few articles back. Thank you for your help.
vector811