by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
This report covers:
- In a handgun
- A target BB pistol
- What it’s for
- A hunting handgun
- Any holes?
- Get real!
- Over to you
- Summary
This is a continuation of your opportunity to affect the world of airguns. I told you last time that airgun manufacturers all over the world read this blog daily. Of course there are exceptions to that from time to time. Sometimes a personnel change at a company diverts the attention of its people to other things and we loose them for awhile, but then someone in the company has a question about something airgun-related and they go online to research it. That usually brings them to this blog and they bring the others in their company back with them.
In a handgun
What do you want to see in an air handgun? It can be anything from a simple BB gun to a big bore airgun capable of taking big game. I’ll get you started and then turn the discussion over to you.
A target BB pistol
Something I have long wanted to see is a target air pistol that’s lightweight and easy to cock. It must be inexpensive yet deadly accurate — BUT!
Okay — right up to the BUT what I’m asking for sounds like what a lot of folks say they want. But there is a difference. I have a way of getting what I want that most people don’t. I give a manufacturer a solid and inexpensive way of doing what I am asking.
I want a target BB pistol that’s made along the lines of the Daisy Match Grade Avanti Champion 499 BB gun. Because of how the powerplant of a BB gun works, the shot tube/barrel on this pistol can be shorter than the one on the 499. It can be made from the same tubing as the shot tube in the long gun. Give me an overlever cocking mechanism that is essentially the 499 spring and piston with the lever on top of the spring tube and in front of where it is now, rather than in the rear. Give me a good Patridge front sight whose width is well-matched to the notch in the rear.
The Patridge front sight (named for E.S. Patridge) is usually undercut at the back to eliminate reflection. Some are slanted slightly to the front.
For the rear sight give me a good adjustable one with a square notch and fine clicks for both windage and elevation. Put it as far back on the top as feasible, for a longer sight radius.
Give me good grips like the ones on the Daisy Targeteer that shot BBs. They don’t have to be expensive. They do have to be good. Think Crosman Marks I and 2.
Daisy’s Targeteer 177 wasn’t expensive, but it did have nice hand-filling grips.
What it’s for
An air pistol like this is ideal for teaching someone how to shoot with a handgun. Until you train shooters, you can’t fathom all the differences there are between teaching somerone to shoot a long gun and a handgun.
This pistol doesn’t need to be accurate to a great distance — 5 meters is fine. A velocity of 240-250 f.p.s. is also fine. So it should be obvious that I’m talking about a BB gun.
The overlever cocking means almost anyone can cock it. The lever runs from the front sight along the top of the gun to the rear of the gun, and it pivots there to pull a lightweight spring and piston back to the cocked position. The light weight makes the pistol easy to hold in one hand, so the basics of handgun marksmanship can be learned by almost anyone.
A pistol like this could expand the Daisy International BB gun championships. It could be an ideal tool for teaching new shooters how to shoot a handgun. There is no good air handgun for training new shooters. Women and youngsters, especially, would be glad to have a light accurate target pistol. This could be the one to do all of that.
A hunting handgun
We already have several wonderful hunting air handguns. In the lower end of power I just reviewed the Ataman AP16, and don’t forget that October is the month when I will pick a winner of the pistol I reported on from the US readers of this blog.
In the same power range as the Ataman is the Benjamin Marauder pistol. It’s less expensive and just as accurate, with a trigger we all talk about.
To step up in power you can move to the TalonP by AirForce Airguns. It’s very affordable, yet delivers the best power of any commercial air pistol today. A host of factory accessories can turn it into a handy carbine very quickly. Add a longer barrel and boost the power dramatically!
Any holes?
So we do have good hunting air pistols today. But are there any gaps?
Yes, there are no hunting air pistols in the 25-40 foot-pound range. Is that even a valid thing to consider? Well, any gun that’s built for that power range has to be wary of the TalonP, so watch the price, the overall length, the accuracy and perhaps the flexibility, too.
Some people want a lot more power than air pistols give them and they want it in a package that fits conveniently into a holster. Oh, and it would be okay if the maker charged as much as $300 for such an airgun!
Get real!
For starters, if you are a reader of this blog for very long you know why such an air pistol is impossible. And I’m not talking about the price. To get power from a precharged airgun in any caliber requires a longer barrel. You can’t get there with higher air pressure alone — just ask those guys who have built 4,500 psi airguns, only to see them eclipsed by guns that fill to a much lower pressure but have longer barrels! The laws of physics cannot be broken.
And, speaking about price, let’s get real. When a company comes out with the next great thing they are going to charge for it. They know that there are those who will pay a lot to get the latest technology. If they are the only ones selling it, they would be fools not to capitalize on their situation. How many of you ever turned down a raise at work because it was not in your company’s best interest?
The time always comes when the demand goes down and prices have to be slashed. If the bottom line is your main concern, be prepared to wait.
Over to you
There you go. I have given you a few thoughts to get you started, now you take over and tell the world what you want in an air pistol. I liked my summary to Part 1 so well that I decided to just use it again.
Summary
Want to affect the world of airguns? Then stop tipping over the porta-potties and help us empty the garbage cans!
I wonder, Evanix is not a commercial firm? Remember the .22 Renegade review B.B? AR6 and REX pistols are very good platforms. AR6, especially in .25 cal is over 30fpe and the REX is anything between 35 to 150fpe, that in .50 cal. The REX with a three round, probably horizontal, magazine is what I would like to see.
Bill,
Evanix changes the design of their guns on a whim. Say anything about them today and tomorrow it’s no longer true. Therefore I do not consider them when I make statements like that. Shin Sung also made a powerful air pistol that I tested, but where are they today?
BB
Strange that you make these statements.
The Evanix pistol that you tested, with very good comments, exactly twelve years ago, is still produced without any changes !!!
As far as the Rex platform it’s still the same for some years now, with a good following from what I understand, even from the reviews in the Pyramydair, when they were a selling point.
Bill,
There is a fellow on GTA that has 8 Evanix’s in .25, .30, .357 running 35 fpe – 225 fpe. He lives in Hawaii and hunts feral hogs. I do not know anything about them (Evanix), but apparently he likes them,.. a whole lot. Tweaks and mods them too.
Chris
Indeed, the three of them being Rex and at least one of these is a Pistol.
I think that Tom’s heart belongs to the Airforce platform, with very good reasons I must add.
The pistol I want is a Crosman 2240xl (steel breech model, threaded muzzle) with adjustable iron sights and a fixed front post on the muzzle adapter, a factory hammer spring adjuster, and a 10 inch barrel in .25 caliber. Even better- how about a multi-caliber kit with .177, .22, and .25 cal barrels? Everything is already on hand. No tooling costs. $199.99 in time for Christmas. $250 with a red dot sight and shoulder stock. That is a gun that would lead folks to make a lot of secondary purchases- 3 calibers of pellets in multiples, other modding accessories. This could be Crosman’s modular platform. Their SIG P series. Their AR platform. Hmm?
ProSteelToe
I have always wanted a .25 caliber 2240 or 1377/22. I wish they would of made a .25 caliber Maximus or Discovery too.
Gunfun1,
I know for a fact you would love the .25 caliber.
It has existed for years and i own more than one. Dennis Quackenbush started building the SSP and then the 2540/2550 pistols with a bulk CO2 fill adapter to die for. His made to order top end in .25 was specific to the Diana pellet: http://quackenbushairguns.com/shot_pistol.html
Read If you want to drool!
He also has a HPA Outlaw for sale with a 16″ barrel threaded at both ends, not slip fit, and a muzzle Adapter.
shootski
Shootski
I’m sure I would like one.
B.B.,
I don’t think there is one pistol that can fill all the niches. Inexpensive 5 yard pistol (spring piston). 10 meter target (PCP). Plinking pistol at low to medium power (CO2/PCP). Hunting pistol (PCP). Come to think of it what is the place of CO2 nowadays in air guns?
Siraniko
PS: Section What it’s for 4th paragraph 3rd sentence “Women and youngsters, especially, would be glad to havbe (have) a l=ight (light) accurate target pistol.
Siraniko, sharing your concern for co2 airguns I would like to see .22 cal, repeaters in the 5fpe area, which could cover many international regulations.
Bill,
I get it that the CO2 is seems convenient for international regulations but with the ease of refill with the cheap pumps I’m taking a second look at the future of this power plant. It seems best suited for air gun designs that have a limited size envelope (pistols) providing a relatively consistent source of power provided that temperatures do not vary widely.
Siraniko
My thoughts exactly. That’s why I would like to see a pistol like I described. And now I realize that I stated airguns and not air pistols.
Siraniko,
Fixed. Thank you.
BB
The 12g CO2 cartridges are a really compact and handy way to fill an airgun. My wife can easily change the cartridge in her 22XX gun in about 30 seconds and go right back to hitting the target.at 25 yards for another 40+ shots. Its an extremely convenient power source for much of the casual shooting we do. No hard to cock springer, no fill pump to drag out.
What do I want in a pistol?
A Colt .22 caliber SAA with a 4 3/4″ barrel.
Joe,
Me too!
BB
Me three!
Me four! LOL =>
B.B.,
My most accurate bb pistole is the Daisy 1700 CO2. With better sights it would be as good as I could expect from a bb gun.
I have no experience with the Daisy 717 but think you already know it is a winner with the features you want.
Don
Or 747 with 499 barrel. Did not finish my thought.
Benji-Don
My thought almost exactly but use the Avanti 747 single stroke design in a lighter weight pistol. Less power is needed for 5 meter BB. Cocking effort about half that of a 747. Maybe Daisy has already looked into it.
Deck
Don,
The 717 is too heavy.
BB
I’d like Beeman to remove the fibre optics from the sights of P17 & P3.
I have to mention a few rifles as well.
DIANA TWO-FORTY without fibre optics – with old-style iron sights & metal globe on the front sight.
Adult version of Umarex Embark with adult size stock.
Single shot TR5.
Fish,
Your idea of the Diana 240 would be superb. You would probably enjoy the HW50 very much.
Forget the Embark and the TR5. All they have going for them is price.
Perhaps you should seriously consider a Diana 34. It is a superb entry level sproinger that is excellent for plinking, but has enough power to hunt small game.
RR,
I think airgunners would like to add a 240 like that to their collection. Diana doesn’t have to get rid of the current fibre optic version – which we don’t have it here in the US anymore anyway. I just wish Diana to add an premium version of it with iron globe sights to the product line.
Yea, I’d enjoy a 50 or an R7 – ‘outside.’ But I’m looking for a ~500 fps .177 springer pellet shooter for indoor purposes. And I have one answer to that, the Diana I explained above.
I had a chance to play with an Embark, and it was accurate with certain pellets under 10m. I wished to have an adult size stock for it. Umarex could at least consider an adjustable buttpad for it. As it is the official youth airgun nowadays, it could be more useful like that for its purpose – so it’d be an added value, I think.
TR5 could bring lots of fun for indoor shooting in short distances; missing the target at 5-6 meters could provide some fun challenge. 🙂
I used to have a couple of 27s back in time. I had sent thousands of pellets to pellet heaven through their barrels. If I wanted an upgrade, I’d go with an R9 only. But I don’t have a private place to shoot outside any longer. I don’t hunt, enjoy ranges, or etc…, so basement here I come. For the purpose, I’m also considering a vintage springer. If I get lucky, I might find one. There are lots of .177 springers like that under 500 fps…
Fish,
There are antique air rifles and pistols everywhere that would suit your needs. I have four air rifles and three air pistols that would work great in the basement.
An HW30/R7 would also work great.
If you should pick up a Diana and want to have it tuned down a bit, talk to Hector Medina. This is his specialty. He has a couple of RWS 54’s that are under 12 FPE.
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/
He also works very closely with Diana.
RR,
I’d like to shoot .177 Cal, ~7.0 Grain Wadcutters at ~500fps; R7 would be a bit powerful for that.
I’ll check that site when I have time. TY.
How about finding something like this at ur corner pawn shop? https://www.aaronwheelergunsmith.co.uk/product/vintage-177-diana-model-27-export/
Fish,
This is THE air rifle you are looking for. I would advise you to jump on it before someone else or even I do.
https://www.gunauction.com/buy/16820490
RR,
U should go for it. It’s a .22.
I have a Diana 24c, so a closely related cousin. I think they detuned it way too aggressively for the Canadian market. No chrony, but shooting into a bar of soap, it penetrates more like the HW75 than the HW45.
The only thing I’d want to change on it is the trigger – from a plastic to a metal trigger and to move its position back about 5-10mm.
I think I’d like to add a HW30S to keep it company, but I need to clear out some of these rimfire .22s gathering dust to make room in the safe first.
BB,
I am not much of a pistol shooter, so any input is limited. A couple of thoughts are,… if you can have a powerful PCP pistol (but) you must add more barrel (which then) makes it unwieldy,.. (which then) leads to have to putting a butt stock on it,… you essentially have a rifle. Other than reduced weight?,.. would a rifle be the better choice?
We were talking 499 awhile back and barrel length came up. I pulled the shot tube out of mine and the actual barrel was only 8-8 1/4″. The overall assy. about 12″. 8″ is (already) a good, ready to use length for a pistol. If the “magic” to the 499 is the barrel and the bb’s, then I wonder why someone has not retro fitted the barrel to another pistol platform yet? Something like the 2240 would seem to be an easy place to start or one of the pumpers.
That’s my 2 cents for the day,…….. 😉
Chris
It would be pretty straightforward to get a 499 barrel on a 2240. I just can’t fathom why I’d remove a rifled barrel for a smooth bore. Seems like it would be giving up accuracy, esp at longer distances.
Derrick,
People are always griping about non-accurate bb shooting pistols,… so I just figured,….
As long as the barrel is the same length and the fps is the same as a 499,… it should have all of the accuracy of any 499 rifle. Cheaper on the ammo too.
Chris
Looking back at some airguns that I’ve worked on, it would be interesting to put a 499 barrel into a Crosman 454/1600 repeater. Now that, I can wrap my head around!
Chris USA,
But would (could) it have the Precision of the 499 in rifle configuration?
Quick! What is the biggest drawback in a typical pistol over a typical rifle.
One clue: SR
shootski
Shootski,
Sight radius. The whole point in even having the conversation was that if the 499 is the most accurate bb rifle, then use the barrel on a pistol to see if it can better any other bb pistol out there. I am not aware of anyone trying it.
Chris
Chris USA,
B I N G O!
I knowed you knew that!
How many don’t thinking that it is shaking hold problems.
shootski
Derrick,
The 2240 barrel is 7.5″, so that works. Fps 460
The 1377 and 1322 barrels are 10.25″,…. so,…? (499 = 8.25″) Fps is 600 for the 1377 and 460 for the 1322.
Fps for the stock 499 is 240, I believe. Mine is 412 fps with the Red Ryder spring mod.
A 2240 would be good, but would need a magnetic tipped probe. I wonder if one is made for some other Crosman bb shooter model (rifle or pistol) that would fit a 2240?
Chris
Chris
Let’s go the other way.
Let’s put a 499 barrel on a 760.
And no not even thinking about the pistol topic.
I bet that would be a good bb shooter.
GF1,
760 barrel is 16 3/4″. The 499 is around 8 1/4″,.. so not sure how that would work. They obviously make them from tube stock,.. so I do not see why a longer could not be made.
Chris
Chris
Remember the 760 is a pumper so velocity could be controlled.
And talking pistols now. How about a 499 barrel on a 1377.
Or let’s go a bit further. A 499 barrel on a 1720T PCP.
Then one step further. A 1399 stock on the 1377 or 1720T. I bet that would be a good shooter.
And just for prototyping a magnet could be superglued or jb welded to the bolt probe so the bb won’t try to roll forward. And thinking farther the bb is a precise fit to the 499 barrel. So a magnet might not even be needed. Just a drop of oil on the bb before you drop the bb down the barrel. That could hold the bb in place.
I’m not aware of anything in the Crosman line up that would be a drop BB retrofit for a 2240. It’s be pretty straightforward to sleeve a 499 barrel up to 7/16 OD (the size of the 2240 barrel) and drill the transfer port. Magnetizing the steel bolt from a 2240/2250 steel breech kit is also not a problem. I guess this might make sense if it was offered from Crosman this way, but I still can’t wrap my head around what it would do for me. To answer the question though, it would be pretty easy to make.
I wonder if Daisy sells 499 barrels separately? Their repair parts are always very reasonably priced.
Derrick,
When I was doing the Red Ryder spring mod to my 499,.. I tried a cut down TX200 spring first. It was too strong and damaged the spring/piston/latch unit. Not sure just what it is called at the moment. Never could see the fail point,… but it would not cock and hold.
But yes,.. you can get parts and as I recall,… it was quite easy and cheap.
Chris
Cobalt,… which used to post here,.. was quite a bit of help on getting going on the project. Very well worth the minimal effort.
Some quick sleuthing of the internets found a two year old Daisy 499 parts schematic. The shot tube assembly is/was about twelve bucks. I’ve never been especially impressed with the accuracy of my old Crosman 1600 pistol- even with lead balls. This might be an interesting solution. If I can step away from work tomorrow for a few minutes, I’ll get a barrel and some precision shot ordered.
Derrick,
Are you the Derrick at Another Airgun Blog? If so please put it up as a new project.
Thanks,
Mike
Will do.
Derrick,
An added thought. The probe sits (inside) the pellet skirt and the skirt is exposed (which can take the air blast) and get it moving. With a bb on the end of the probe, I am not sure how that would work.
If the bolt was kept closed, muzzle loaded and the bb rested at the back of the barrel (still in the barrel, but away from the probe),.. that might work. Barrel would have to have magnetic bb retention.
Chris (keep us posted to any progress)
The 22xx platform uses the bolt probe —that would need to be magnetized. The old Crosman 1600/454 is a semi-auto 16 shot bb pistol. It uses a sliding shuttle. No magnet necessary.
Whatever we might get, I have to agree on the sights. Don’t put fiber optic sights on the gun. Why do the manufactures think everybody wants fiber optic. Besides, the fiber optic sights have to cost more to make, so quit putting them on the guns. Case in point, they ruined the sights on the Discovery when they used the fiber optics.
My opinion, of course.
Jonah,
I agree! I’ll never buy an airgun with fibre optic sights. I don’t care how good an airgun is, if it comes with fibre optics, I act as if that gun didn’t even exist.
Guys, let’s reply to Jonah’s comment and make it a big one. Let’s get his well spoken words heard! If you don’t want fibre optics on airguns, now is the time…
Fish.
Fish
I hate when people have a one track mind.
Really. No fiber optic sights.
Here we go again.
Fish
If you get a good set of fiber optic sights you will be surprised how well they work.
Fish,
The lighting can have a lot to do with how well (or not) the fiberoptics show up. I’ve used a paint marker to quickly black out sights.
Derrick,
I’ve tried quite a few of them, and I didn’t like them. I think, at this point, it’s more of a personal choice with me, and I believe I am not alone. Nothing compares to an old school iron sight on a springer in my opinion. Thankfully, there are still a few left in the market. I cannot thank Weihrauch enough for being awesome and not following the marketing trends…
Did I read that you’re a basement shooter? Its obvious you want something quality as I see you mention Diana and Weihrauch. I think Ridge is on track talking about vintage rifles. How about something vintage and funky like a Haenel 303-Super?
Derrick,
Not yet, but will be soon…
303 is just amazing. I love vintage stuff, I was born to this world a little too late. Although, 7 grain wadcutters will easily exceed 650 fps with 303. I remember BB wrote a report about it back in time. I’ll take a look at it sometime.
Fish
Once again, find a Walther LG 55
Deck
Deck,
Wish me luck! 😉
Fish
Prices for vintage 10 meter airguns have gone up this year it seems. Two reasons for this I think. All gun prices are up due to politics in our country. The other is airgun target shooters reading this blog now realize they can get better triggers for the price vs triggers on modern sporting airguns.
Deck
deck,
exactly my point. that’s why i let my wish list include a couple of not so good rifles, taking all those details into consideration.
Jonah,
The various PB Pistol Shooting Competitions have shooters looking to use fiber optics to get on target faster. Unfortunately the lookalikes on “toy” guns are typically not anywhere close to the quality of the real PB pistols fibers. The same is for the rifle competitive shooters not using optical systems. Weed wacker quality (plastic) does not = true fiber.
shootski
Shootski,
I was about to post something on your prior opinions on (quality) fiber optics.
So,.. what would it cost to add (quality) fiber optics to a typical air rifle?
“Ballpark” it,…….
Chris
Chris USA,
Cheap end retail: https://www.amazon.com/TRUGLO-Fiber-Optic-Handgun-Sights-Pistols/dp/B07KM7ZH47
Look around down below and see how spendy they can be even on Amazon’s price points!
shootski
Shootski,
Thank you. So,… 50-100+ dollars. Yea,… probably more than the air gun market can stand. That is too bad. It seems like they have got a bad rap (and with just cause) because of the “weed wacker” line imitations. 🙁
Chris
Chris USA,
Just so that the newer readership understand that everything i own doesn’t have glowy thingies on them:https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories.html?cat=12 on my AR i have the Pro LR Version on the rear and the Pro front using different Enhanced posts as needed. The other day i was shooting on the 100m range and the guy in the lane next to me shooting an AR from the bench asked me if i was shooting with a scope because my groups were so small. I said no just my BUIS (backup irons) and he actually came around the divider to look. The RSO asked him to leave since this is a COVID19 NO-NO!
So the typical poor quality package scopes have been talked to death found on air rifles but most folks only complain about glowy thingies! Lol!
So even good iron sights cost more than most airgun bean counters will tolerate! The fact that most can’t be exchanged/drifted out on airguns drives me crazy!
shootski
Shootski,
Doesn’t Hatsan use TruGlo on their springers? I played with a 95 QE once, and it’s open sights were terrible.
Fish,
I haven’t a clue what they use.
If they do use the TruGlo brand (they have a few levels of quality if they follow the typical business model) was NOT the point in my response to Chris’ comment.
Soo….
shootski
Shootski,
I know that was not ur point. I just remembered it and said it. The ones I saw must be the lowest quality bunch, that’s for sure…. Still……
Shootski
I was considering a post pointing out that fiber optics were intended to improve target acquisition speed for serious competition shooting and not really needed for airguns or precision. But you took it one step further and identified the cause of the bad vibes with airguns, poor quality and design.
I have a few that are not really that bad. The ones on my Diana P5 Magnum almost perform like a DOT sight in bright daylight.
I think it would be nice to have them as an option if you wanted them at purchase.
Bob M
Bob M,
Even if the manufacturers don’t improve sights just offering a standardized dovetail or other sight platform option swap out potential would be a major improvement and also a post sale money maker.
Sig Air does it on some of their newer offerings.
shootski
BB,
It is a shame about the way Evanix is. They do indeed seem to have a consistency issue. I myself would really like to see something like the Rex pistol.
Perhaps AirForce could take the TalonP to the next level. As it is now, it can be used somewhat like a pistol, but most everyone changes it into a dandy little carbine. I would think AirForce would consider lightening their pistol by doing something similar to the Evanix Rex and giving the TalonP an air reservoir similar to the Edge. Also, they should probably “lose” the front grip to further lighten it. Shot count will go way down, but that is OK. If you get two, maybe three good shots per fill should be fine. This is a pistol. You can carry a buddy bottle in a pack if you need it.
When is AirForce going to lose that funky, little grip of theirs and adapt their airguns to take an AR grip?! It really needs a grip that someone with large hands can hold on to. What they have now is somewhat usable, but most definitely not suitable for a pistol. Yes, yes, yes, I understand production and design changes and cost factors. Yes, they probably buy that grip by the gazillions for almost nothing. No one else would even think of using it. They should seriously consider switching over to using an inexpensive AR grip. The owner can change out to a better quality grip if they desire and the AR grip would fit the hand sooooo much better.
RR,
Small grip on a TalonP would be a BIG bummer for me. There is something made:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&ei=k7iOX_P8JpWE9PwP5p2zqAU&q=Air+Force+Talon+P+after+market+grips&oq=Air+Force+Talon+P+after+market+grips&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQDDoECAAQRzoECCEQClDMdliBlwFgz7gBaABwAngAgAHDAYgBsQySAQQwLjEwmAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesgBCMABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwizkqv_98LsAhUVAp0JHebODFUQ4dUDCAw
Good suggestion.
Chris
Chris
I bet you would be surprised how the grip fits on the AirForce guns.
I have big hands too. They work for me.
GF1,
Oh, they work. The reason they work is you do not have to hang on to these things because they have almost no recoil. You just need something to wrap your hand around to pull the trigger.
I do not like them.
RR
Just another thing to adapt to.
I have to point my thumb straight out. If try to wrap my thumb around it gets in the way of my trigger finger.
I don’t know. Do I realy have big hands? Maybe not?
Chris,
I have after market grips on my Talon SS. They are not as long as the AR grip, but are considerably wider and more comfortable the AirForce grips.
Mine is pretty simple – I bought a P365 BB pistol to test out the ergonomics of the P365 handgun. I really like that little pistol, but would greatly prefer it shoot pellets instead of BBs. In fact I find I don’t shoot it much because it is shooting BBs – I don’t like the lack of accuracy at anything other than the shortest ranges because of the risk of ricochets. Pellets would be greatly preferred, and I would not care about the loss of speed from the switch.
Change the sights and add a magnet, for bbs, to a P17 and there you go. Might have to lighten the cocking . Which would slow it down to your desired speed.
Rk,
I like this idea.
Fish.
Bill ,
BB is spot on with the Evanix product line . Very spotty QC issues , yes they are accurate but they operate on a different philosophy than Western manufacturers . Try to get parts for your Evanix !! It is how You are treated after the sale that matters most .
Gene Salvino
Gene
How about Hatsan? What kind of experience have you had getting parts from them?
Gene
I can understand fully the non existing after sales support and that’s why I understand Tom’s preferences. But it’s also true that the AR6 pistol he reviewed in October 2008 still remains in production unchanged…
B.B.
I know many people who have turned down a promotion at work!
Why do you love “over cockers”, they are just hand pinchers waiting to happen! I call them crab cockers.
The world does not need more airgun types. What it needs is a good non-lead pellet! Sometime in most of your readers lifetimes lead will be illegal. Think paint chips, Flint Michigan water supply….
I want some manufacturer to bring the Sterling gun to market.
-Y
Yogi,
BB said nobody ever turned down a raise, not a promotion. I too know many that turned down (and even many that “returned”) a promotion due to the increased responsibility. But I have never met anyone that said “no” to a simple increase in pay . . .
I was trying to come up with advantages of a bb vs. pellet handgun. Lead free is one.
Agree it would be nice to see more lead free options for pellets too.
B.B.,
What I want is a Daisy 279 — essentially a 179 mock SAA catapult gun but with wood grips, an honestly-rated 280-290 fps. and a leveraged “assist” for the hammer/cocking lever to offset the effort of cocking the more powerful BB gun.
Or,
Essentially the same as above but a reissue of the Healthways Western Plainsmen (but with a more reliability),
Michael
Michael,
I don’t think it will be possible for a catapult 179 to get up to that velocity, no matter how hard it is hit by the hammer.
BB
B.B.,
The Healthways Western Plainsman uses a similar mechanism but from what I’ve read is more powwerful than the Daisy 179. Then again, what one reads is not always accurate.
Michael
B.B.,
Here’s another one: an all-steel Schimel.
Michael
Hello,
Can somebody suggest a method or direct me towards some reasonably priced equipment to buy or make that would allow me to incrementally detune the Theoben gas spring in a HW90? I am aware that there is a $300 hand pump specific to this purpose, but that is not an option for me. I would like to bleed some air from the spring, but may also need to add some back if I go too far. Any ideas?
Airman Of The Board,
Is there a way for you to find someone who owns the pump and rent it from them?
Buy it on a credit card and return it if you don’t in the meantime fall in love with it? Then rent it out, with proper safety deposit, to other airgunners.
shootski
Shootski,
Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into it. I will report back If I get it sorted out.
Airman Of The Board
Airman Of The Board,
If the valve really is a standard Schrader Valve and the pressure range and volume is that low the ability to cobble together a depressurize/pressurize system would be a snap.
A 13cu.in. 1800PSI Catalina cylinder and some paintball store parts, a fair quality guage in the zero to 700PSI range would be all you need to put together a manifold…since you don’t really need CALIBRATED only a readable interval up or down.
shootski
Shootski,
Thanks again for thinking about my problem. This is new territory for me, I will take to the internet to try to understand your solution. I may get back to you with a followup question.
Airman Of The Board
Hello all,
I have a Webley Alecto Ultra (extended barrel) in .177 that can be pumped 1-4 times. On 1 pump, as a SSP (single stroke pneumatic), it’s an excellent recoilless target pistol, and with 3 pumps, it’s a P3/P17 on steroids, powerful enough for pesting inside 20 yd. Too bad it disappeared from the US marketplace; I think it’s an overlooked and under appreciated pistol, with nice molded grips.
The dovetail on top is relatively soft plastic, not picatinney, so if you mount a scope or red dot, you may have to cut a cross slot and take it easy on the clamping pressure. The forearm has a picatinney rail for accessories.
I think it’s still made under the name Zoraki HP something, and in other world markets, a detachable stock is available. The report is LOUD because the valve seems to have a very efficient, quick opening, releasing all compressed air in a percussive burst. I bought an aftermarket adapter and moderator that tame the report nicely.
I also drilled a hole in the rear of the top, inline with the barrel, so that I could inspect and clean the barrel easily by just popping the release catches and not having to remove the barrel completely. See pics below.
This pistol, with a small moderator, available in right or left hand, with optional quick detach or folding stock, picatinney rail on top would be awesome.
This pistol requires a fair amount of force to close when pumping more than 1 time. You have to push down about where the rear sight is, causing the nut for the elevation screw to jiggle and lose its setting.
I’d like to see this design refined and re-released.
Regards,
Feinwerk
Looks like there’s a limit of one image per post…
Here’s a pic of the barrel access hole from the rear:
And here’s an elementary wire stock that clamps onto the accessory rail. It’s a little more wiggly than I would like, being a small aluminum rod with a piece of tubing pushed over it.:
I like the wire stock, but if it was on the other side it would help bring the sights more in line with your eye.
Hello RR,
If I had to make another one, I’d try that, although I’m not sure that would give me the right cheek position. It bends back to centerline behind the pistol
This pic shows the drilled hole for barrel access from the inside of the top plate, on the right. You can also see the brass hex nut on the underside of the rear sight that can pop out of its socket when you pump it.
Fienwerk
Now we are getting closer to how I like to shoot a pistol.
A solid utter stock with a longer barrel that basically makes a carbine.
Feinwerk
Perfect choice. I have so much respect for this platform that I have already given two of these to young relatives, in order to grow with them. By the way I should mention that in .22 cal it’s a +10fpe accurate survival tool, with four pumps that is.
Yes, I went looking for a .22 version of the Ultra and was unsuccessful.
Gunfun1,
I do not know how Hatsan USA is on spare parts . They do all there own warranty work . I do know they have parts on the website for DIY people .
Gene Salvino
Gene
I have had trouble getting parts from them. Springers and PCP’s.
I like them and I have had several and got a pcp right now that is very accurate.
But will see when the time comes when I need repair parts.
Airman of the board ,
There is no inexpensive solution for the HW90 RX2 platform . You need a high pressure pump or a tank ,a gauge to know the pressure and the fitting to go on the rifle . The optimum pressure is 325 psi in that rifle, you will achieve 90% of the performance and longer seal life and easier cocking . Resist the temptation to go all the way to 380 psi .
I have read somewhere that a pump for filling Rc car shock absorbers will work , you only need 325 psi and those pumps use a schrader thread .
Gene Salvino
Hi Gene,
Thank you for responding to my question. Do you think I am asking for trouble if I use some kind of probe to lightly tap the center of the schrader valve to let out a little air. I am just trying to make it cock a bit easier and shoot a little slower/ sweeter? Any suggestions on technique if you think it is possible?
In the one review for the product linked below the user suggests the gauge itself can be used to methodically lower the spring pressure, does this seem plausible to you?
/product/pressure-gauge-for-hw90-and-rx2?a=7145
Thanks again,
AotB
Airman,
Check the local bicycle shop or mountain bike club. Most shock absorber pumps go to 300-450 lbs.
Resist tapping the valve!
My experience is, bicycle tire, 120psi, check with guage now 117. You are dealing with a VERY small amount of air so go slow.
Heck, their guage may have a bleeder valve, my Blackburn digital guage does.
Mudflap,
Thanks for the suggestions. Why do you caution me against judicious valve tapping as a method to bleed some air pressure? I have my doubts about the procedure, and could very well end up with a non-functioning spring. But, I have read a number of reports from people who have used that technique. Do you have personal experience here?
If I understand your second point, you are saying that the act of checking the pressure reduces the pressure a bit. So perhaps the gauge itself could be used, even if it did not have a bleeder valve.
Thanks for your help.
Airman Of The Board
Just offering ideas for a air scorce. No experience with the gun.
Let us know how it works.
I’ve forgotten to mention these:
Hatsan Model 25 & Diana LP8.
I love everything about these two, except their fibre optic sights…
One last thing in my mind about today’s subject… I wonder why Crosman decided to exclude the LPA Mim Rear Sight (2300-010) from its custom shop. Also, does anybody know when Crosman will have the 1300KT Pump Carbine in stock on their custom shop?
BB, these last couple of days were fun; you’ve helped me forget about the realities of Covid19 for a while…
Fish,
Why do you need to forget about COVID19?
If the following study by the Penn State Medical School:
https://www.foxnews.com/health/human-coronaviruses-inactivated-mouthwash-oral-rinses-study?cmpid=prn_newsstand
turns out to be even half right it would be hugh. It gives all the people out there something better to do than hunker down in fear and/or wear face masks that aren’t as effective as it seems MOUTHWASH, MOUTH RINSES or 1% solutions BABY SHAMPOOS are!
Interestingly it sounds like something we all heard earlier this year…
shootski
u do that.
Fish,
I have done that since flying in a pressure suit on long missions caused me to get cavities and erosion on my teeth. Fortunately a Dental Surgeon at NAMI told me about oral rinses and their effectiveness at reducing the growth of stuff in your Sinuses, Nasal passages, mouth, throat and therefore in the rest of your body; since most everything goes in your nose and mouth…well okay sound goes in your ears and light into your eyes… Anyway the report only hit the Newstand 2 hours before I shared it hear on the blog. But trust me before i go to bed tonight im using some mouth rinse and tomorrow im going out and buy a case because if this information goes viral the shelves will be empty in hours.
Can’t hurt is my take on this story!
shootski
Were u a pilot?
Fish,
Yes.
Naval Aviator
shootski
So cool!
What did u fly? Skyhawks?
Fish,
Just about everything fixed wing that the Navy had from 1970 to 1990s.
No rotary wing.
Did a tour as a Flight Instructor in Pensacola. The rest of my flying career is classified stuff.
shootski
Good times to be a pilot, no fly by wire yet, I assume.
Fish,
Yes early on it was REAL Instrument Panels, Bellcranks, Pulleys, and steel cables direct to the control surfaces from stick and rudder peddles. Not to long into it hydraulics got involved big time and toward the last half some fly by wire but not as much as today.
I even got to fly some of the last radial piston pounders :^)
But also some really BLACK stuff.
shootski
You had flown those amazing planes before CPUs took over our lives. Your generations’ pilots were special; no pilots will ever enjoy what you guys experienced. I envy you. You see how awesome the world was before fibreoptics…
Fish,
You are correct about the feel of real stick and rudder flight. I did however embrace all the logical upgrades to flight control enhancements. In the end the task was to kill as many of the enemy and stay alive to fight again. The romance of flying is slowly fading into a world of software engineering and the Right Stuff was really gone before they picked that first group of chimps in space. My personal opinion is that we would be much more advanced in space if we had stayed with the Test Pilot model and not allowed the Rocket Scientists to ever do a single countdown for a maned mission. Project Dynasoar or othe horizontal take of and land projects were the true Right Stuff way to go! Also the X-Planes. Yes we would have probably lost more Tests Pilots but the return would have been better than the candlestick approach.
https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/x.htm
Don’t get me wrong. UCAVs and such are very impressive. Only a few countries have been able to figure them out. They do crazy things, but still these new flying robots have no souls. The age of chivalry in the skies is gone, and your generation was the last knights over the clouds. You’re very privileged, because you were able to be part of that magnificient age at the highest altitudes and fastest speeds possible. Having no software between you and the laws of Physics in the skies at mind blowing speeds; all you had was your training, experience, skills and insticts. That awesomeness will never happen again. When you look at the new generation who are lost in their phone screens, you must feel terribly sorry for them; they think they know everything, but in fact, they don’t know what they’ve been missing. And I don’t know if software always saves lives. Pilots look at the screens instead of gauges in the middle of dark cloudy nights. Sometimes, the aircraft climbs and loses speed, but the screen indicates that it loses altitude and gains speed – just because it is a computer. There is no perfect software. Then the disaster strikes. Even with the new cars, there is so much reliance on software. A typical sofware coder is a 300 pound extremely unhealty geek drinking 2 liters of mountain dew or root beer every hour. And everyday, people put their lives into the hands of the codes that guy writes…
Fish,
Don’t get me wrong i am in complete agreement with your thoughts on the topic. I truly feel blessed to have been lucky enough to be a part in Naval Aviation during a fantastic segment of that path.
I retired and was recruited to fly really long routes for the airlines and/or be a flight instructor i chose neither of those. I thought about getting a big flying boat to do adventure trips but the needs of my kids got higher priority. I did contract work for a time and then after a few instances of being nearly killed by folks with little or no common sense i went back to my first job. I requalified as an Open Water Lifeguard just to do something more than for the money. I retired from that at sixty-eight to devote myself full time to Sea Kayaking in single and doubles with my wife.
I do feel blessed in many ways!
shootski
I salute you, my friend.
Shootski
When you going to try the RC planes?
You know how you mention the feel of the stick on the full size planes. Well you can feel that in the RC planes by your eye sight and brain working together. It’s really cool. You really need to give the RC planes a try.
Gunfun1,
Im working on it!
I am also taking your advice and going with the motorized gliders first! If i get any joy out of it…it is going to be all your fault what happens next!
Then im going to get the: https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/carbon-z-t-28-2.0m-bnf-basic-with-as3x/EFL1350.html
OM another money pit hobby! Lol!
shootski
Speaking of Pensacola, fantastic naval aviation museum at the Naval Station – highly recommend it to all aviation fans. There are aircraft there you will not see elsewhere, including an SBD Dauntless which is a verified survivor of the battle of Midway.
FawltyManuel,
The best…okay, I’m totally biased!
Everytime i visit Pensacola i make certain to stand under the F-14 on the pedestal at the entrance and to visit at a minimum a select few aircraft; strange to be old enough to visit museums and find things that you personally got to fly. It is fun to check Bureau Numbers to be certain it really is a match!
I doubt anyone can watch one of the IMAX motion pictures the theater shows and not be at least a little moved!
shootski
Shootski,
Writing this assuming this will be your first RC aircraft… Like airguns, music, sailing, and such, RC planes are endless money pits. GF1 is right, a motorized sailplane is a good place to start, but at your experience level, you might find that a bit less satisfactory as ‘most’ sail planes in the market come without ailerons. Still, they’re a blast to fly. On a warm summer’s day, on the top of a slope by the ocean, you can keep it up in the air for hours without running the prop, taking adventage of the afternoon breezes blowing to the top of the hill from the ocean. Even though sail planes are fun in their own ways, in my opinion, one of the bottom two would be the best option for your first RC plane – they come with everything you need out of box (always good to double check for the RTF – ready to fly – sign), no need for any figuring out this and that. They are also fully controllable – alierons, rudder, and elevator…
https://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-airplanes/rtf/EFL3700.html
https://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-airplanes/rtf/HBZ3800.html
Never charge LiPos unattendant, and don’t forget to register your plane.
Fish
Fish,
Thanks for that and taking the time to pull it together.
High wing would certainly be good for inherent stability it provides. Fortunately the local club has club RC aircraft and instructors along with a Solo Qualification program included in the price of membership.
shootski
Shootski
I had a T28. Good flying planes. They will do aerobatics too. Just got to watch for the tip stalls with them if you get to slow.
And I guarantee you that once you start flying the RC planes you will love it. It will bring back your memories of flying the full size planes.
Since you like flying I’m afraid you will be hooked. 🙂
Fish,
Running out of room way below,…. glorify/romance all of that you want. I would rather see minimal (on-site) ground/area support and be bombing the crap out of a terrorist cell,.. from some office in Florida.
More of the “good guys” get to live that way and stay in 1 piece.
Chris
Chris,
You should’ve already known what glorify / romance I want, springers without fibreoptic sights. 🙂
Fish.
Fish,
I will say,… you are a hard one to keep up with. 😉
Chris
🙂
Chris USA,
I certainly understand your points; i wish it would always and in every instance work that way.
But reality keeps warfare costly.
The pure stick, rudder, and throttle flying was done with no assist direct control, no CPU and minimal instrumentation.
shootski
Shootski,
Well,.. you would certainly know far better than I. I guess it takes a few special ops on the ground to even call in a strike from a remote location. Thank you for your service. The elite of the elite. Most of us can only imagine (with high inaccuracy, I am sure) what that actually takes.
Chris
I guess until when we can figure out how to see through clouds,.. eyes on the ground is the only way.
Chris USA,
But we actually can “see” through clouds! Obviously it isn’t quite as good as a real visual spectrum but close. The place we can’t see into, so far, is into the minds of adversaries to determine intent. That still takes something well beyond satelite imagery. And, since we are usually in our Good Guy role we don’t just “…bomb(ing) the crap out of a…” without some really solid and multisourced corroberated Intel.
HUMINT is still very important and that is the primary job of SPECOPS.
shootski
Shootski,
So,… when we hear someone say that we should just turn 5 square miles of ISIS controlled territory,…. “into a sheet of glass”,… there is just a “wee-bit” more to it than that? 😉
Got it. As always,.. thanks for the additional perspective.
Chris
B.B.,
I tried to think of a pistol that i personally desire to fill out everything from the 177. SIG ASP Pistol up to the .575 DAQ Pistol (that most owners turn into a carbine) which is a literal and figurative BLAST to shoot as a pistol since i also have the DAQ Shortrifle. I can see the logic: “Yes, there are no hunting air pistols in the 25-40 foot-pound range. Is that even a valid thing to consider?” Since most would see this as ‘Coon/’yote killer if hunting/pesting legal. I do have the DAQ .25XX in CO2 or 3,OOO PSI Outlaw that can go well above that with a twist of the hammer spring adjuster or fill pressure change. Dennis has one currently for sale with a 16″ barrel but set up as a carbine (easily changed to pure pistol with a pair of grips) cheap (plastic) to spendy (custom wood) modification!
shootski
B.B.,
Regarding your target BB pistol… my first thought is the Beeman P17 with a magnet to hold the BB in place in the air transfer port behind the barrel instead of loading it into the barrel breech. Cost-wise, it seems like it’d be a wash – you’d need good QC for barrel dimensions, but you also don’t need to rifle it any more.
Nathan
Airman of the board ,
You can try this but you can not quantify what you have . It is best to empty it out and refill correctly .
Gene Salvino
B.B.
Is there a really high power, maybe big bore, CO2 pistol available? That’s something I would like to see and buy. Since big bore pellets/bullets are already expensive I would be willing to accept the few shots from each co2 cartridge in return for ease of use without all the pcp stuff.
Bill,
I’m not aware of any big bore CO2 pistols. Since air gives so much more velocioty that is what most people want these days. But any PCP should operated with CO2 — you just need an adaptor made to fill the gun.
B B
B.B
I was thinking of the vintage big bore airguns which operated in low pressure, just like CO2.
So that’s my wish. A big bore pistol, operating within the limits of co2 cartridges and short barrels.
Bill,
I don’t know how much you want to spend but you should give Dennis Quackenbush a call. Just know to not call him on Sunday or outside of the hours he has posted on his Web Site: http://quackenbushairguns.com
Also know what you want it for; he will honestly tell you if he has or wants to build something for you. I have never regretted anything i have gotten from Dennis!
What’s currently available:
http://quackenbushairguns.com/currently_available.htm
As a guess it is going to cost North of $500 and be worth a lot more as it gets older and may become an heirloom in very few years.
shootski
shootski
Shootski
After a quick look at the site I think that pcp is the only option from Dennis for high power pistols. In any case thanks a lot for your suggestions. And special thanks for sharing a piece of your life with us here. That’s from someone who did the other part of these “jobs” starting inside an aircraft but finishing them on land…
Something I would like is an (available) Diana 46 Stutzen. That Mannlicher stock makes that rifle the most beautiful piece of gun ever made, along with my walnut Pro Sport. Hoo boy!