A Crosman 600 semiautomatic pellet pistol sits in the original “rocket” box. The box is so-named because a small rocket was shown on the cover and also inside the box.
This report covers:
- History
- Magazine
- Trigger
- Accuracy
- Crosman 677
- Sights
- But wait!
- The test
- One more thing
- Could Crosman do it again?
- Summary
Today we start a series to look at an air pistol that has entered the airgun world’s hall of fame. I refer to the .22-caliber Crosman 600 semiautomatic pistol. This pistol is an icon of air pistols, ranking right alongside Webley’s Senior and Walther’s LP53. And today’s pistol that you will read about is a very special modified icon!
History
The Crosman 600 pistol is revered by airgunners as one of the very few successful semiautomatic pellet pistols that have ever existed. I’m not talking about pellet revolvers that are disguised to resemble semiautomatics; I mean a true semiautomatic in every sense of the word!
I say true because the 600 actually operates semiautomatically, using the CO2 gas to power the action. A lot of air pistols today say they are semiautomatics when in fact they are just double-action revolvers in disguise. That shows up in their long heavy trigger pulls. The Crosman 600 trigger pull is long, but it’s also very light and smooth. When you feel it for the first time you fall in love with the gun.
Instead of a blowback slide cocking a hammer, the 600 employs an odd cammed feed arm that swings to the left to align with a 10-shot spring-loaded inline magazine. A pellet is pushed into the arm by spring pressure and it sits there until the trigger is pulled. When the gun fires the arm swings rapidly to the right to align with the breech and the gas blows the pellet into the barrel and out of the gun. Then the arm swings left to pick up another pellet. This all happens in the blink of an eye and is almost impossible to detect.
Here the pellet feed arm (arrow) has swung to the left side, to align with the inline magazine. This happens every time the pistol fires. A pellet is then pushed into the feed arm from the spring-loaded linear magazine to await the next shot. When the gun fires, that arm swings to the right, aligning with the barrel and the pellet gets blown forward by the gas. Then the arm swings back to accept the next pellet. It all happens so fast you can’t see it.
The linear magazine has ten pellets under spring pressure, ready to be pushed into the swing arm. These are RWS Hobby wadcutters.
Magazine
The linear magazine feeds most pellets well. You see RWS Hobbys in the picture above, and Crosman Premiers also work well. The mag holds 10 pellets nominally, but some pellets like Premiers fit together closer and 11 will fit.
Trigger
The 600’s trigger pull is light, but long and smooth. It is not adjustable.
Accuracy
The 600 is usually very accurate, with some of them giving superior accuracy. That was a factor of the Crosman barrel lottery (meaning some barrels were rifled well and others weren’t), but in the 600’s day, which was 1960 to 1970 the barrels were usually rifled well. It’s also possible to add an aftermarket barrel and I’ll say more about that in a bit.
Crosman 677
The is a smoothbore variant called the 677 that shoots BBs only. That one is much rarer and was made from 1961 to 1964.
Sights
The sights on the 600 are adjustable with no fiberoptics. The longer sight radius (8.5 inches) and squared front post give a crisp sight picture that can lead to superior accuracy.
But wait!
Yep, this series is about a very special Crosman 600. It’s one that most of you readers have never seen. It’s a modified pistol that has a Weihrauch barrel — I think. And it is also a bulk-fill pistol, so it doesn’t operate on 12-gram CO2 cartridges. This one was souped up to shoot much faster! How much faster is something we will find out.
This 600 was modified by Dave Gunter many years ago. It has what I believe is a Weihrauch barrel and it’s been converted to bulk fill.
The test
I tested a factory Crosman 600 for you in 2016. The accuracy, velocity and shot count for a factory pistol were determined. That gives us a baseline to compare the modified pistol against. This report will focus on the modified pistol.
One more thing
Airgun manufacturers are experiencing a long dry sales spell at present. I hear them complain that the market is down and nobody is buying their airguns. The Crosman 600 is an airgun people would buy — if it is priced right. I think a retail of just under $300 is about right Holding the line on manufacturing costs will take some design effort, because nobody can do it the 1960’s way today (zinc diecast parts) — any more than anything made back then can be made today for an affordable price.
And how did I select the $300 retail price? I know that if a manufacturer heard it they would complain that it is not nearly enough, and I know most airgunners will say it is far too much. Therefore it’s perfect!
To set the record straight, about 20 years ago I did give Crosman a plan for how to replicate a modern semiauto like the 600. Here is what I said in Part 2 of the 2016 report.
Could Crosman do it again?
People who shoot the 600 wonder why Crosman isn’t making this pistol today. The complex mechanism is one reason, though CNC machinery makes complex manufacture so much easier. But a simpler action would probably be needed. And Crosman made it in their Nightstalker carbine. I talked to Crosman engineer Ed Schultz about this for several years before he left the company. He agreed it would be a good seller, even with the harder trigger pull (required by their lawyer). But as far as I know, nothing has happened yet.
The Crosman Nightstalker carbine, now out of production, would make a good candidate for a modern 600 pistol.
I said that in a 2016 blog but I said it to Crosman back when the Nightstalker carbine was still in production — 2005-2010. With the downsizing of Crosman’s U.S. staff this year it’s pretty obvious why they won’t do it today. But another company could probably reverse engineer a Nightstalker and a 600 and probably do it.
Summary
Crosman’s 600 pistol is one to look for, for sure. It’s a great reason to attend an airgun show. In this series we are going beyond a standard 600. We will be looking at an air pistol that many of you can only hope to shoot one day.
Tom,
How much longer is the Weihrauch barrel compared to the factory spec barrel? Looks near double the length. It also looks like somebody sleeved the bulk CO2 cylinder into the existing CO2 cylinder.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Right on both accounts.
BB
If anyone from SPA is reading this, you know what we need you to do!
I do like modified airguns.
The CO2 Daisy Power Line 45 also has a spring loaded linear (Wad cutter) pellet magazine only it is top mounted and removable. However, the pellet snatcher pops up and down instead of sideways and is operated by trigger pull, not CO2. But it is still called a Semiautomatic.
It has a single or dual action hammer, but I guess it’s not really a semiauto and it is not a revolver action either.
The pellet snatcher works by trigger pull in either mode.
So, what do we call it? A trigger-pull actuated Semiautomatic? A mechanically operated Semiautomatic? Or a modified revolver type action pistol? Or just a multi-shot magazine fed CO2 pistol? Or … a simple pellet pistol with a magazine.
“13 shots as fast as you can pull the trigger” and up to 400fps with led pellets I assume. Don’t think another pellet type was made yet or would fit. Need to check up on that.
OK I got it … An imitation Semiautomatic !
Bob M,
Semantics. There are NO semiautomatic pistols! The proper name is automatic as in autoloader. A pull the trigger once and shoot multiple rounds is properly identified as a Machine Pistol.
shootski
Bob M,
I have one of these things stashed away in a bin in my closet. For some reason it quit functioning and was given to me a long time ago. I had taken it apart but had not found what was wrong with it.
RR can you be more specific.
Mag fit or operation, pellet feed or jam. Pellet transfer pop up stuck, Up or down, trigger locked up, safety lever or spring-loaded safety lock pin bad, no CO2 coming out, or bleeding off?
Only a wad cutter pellet can be used and it must fit through the cut-out for it in the mag to stack and feed properly, No long, domes or pointed etc. If not it can jamb up the pop-up pellet snatcher. Pellet in backward.
Sometimes the mag follower will jam up in the pellet transfer pop-up when empty and lock it up, or a bent pellet screws it up. Daisy pellets suggested for use.
Bob M,
I apologize for not getting back with you sooner. As my rememberer is not working as well as it used to, I do not recall what the problem is exactly. I seem to recall that I am having trouble with the valve. I have not fooled around with it for many years. I should probably drag it out and see what I can do with it.
Of course, at the moment I have three Benjamin pump pistols to go over and a Predom Lucznik that could most definitely use a better trigger. I may have to insert this thing into the que.
Bob,
I have one of these and still shoot it. Made in Japan. It’s been a very reliable gun and surprisingly accurate. As long as I only shoot wad cutters, it has never jammed. The late James House wrote some about it in his book on C02 guns. It can be found on Amazon, Ebay, Barnes & Noble as well as other places https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/co2-pistols-rifles-james-house/1018009060 We get “hooked up” on the meaning of semi-auto and revolver. As I’ve heard before (maybe from BB?) if semi auto just means pulling the trigger for multiple shots, then a revolver fired in double action would be a semi auto? I don’t think so. But to call this gun a revolver would not be correct either as nothing “revolves” on it. What would one call the semi auto revolvers ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mateba_Autorevolver It’s a true semi auto yet it is also a revolver. Then there are the four barrel small guns. It gets cloudy fast.
Doc
Doc, I poster a somewhat reply at the bottom of the blog. Shootski has cleared it up as usual.
BB,
It figures you would have some oddball thing like that. I like it. I am curious about how well this thing shoots. I am looking forward to this blog as I am sure many here are.
I want another one!
I’ll be looking at the North Carolina Airgun show in about 30days, and the count down has begun!!
Breeze,
I am thinking that I may be there on Saturday. It would be nice to be there on Friday, but that is not likely. You never know though.
RR
You’ve probably heard this before……the deals start happening Friday before the doors even open. But that means a motel, but only for one nite! I usually sell enough to pay for my food and lodging.
And come home with something different.
Breeze,
Yes, I am quite aware of that, especially since I have been there, done that myself in years past.
In recent years I have not been by myself though. I have started dragging my grandson along with me and the last couple of times I have also been bringing his best friend also. Putting up and feeding such a retinue can be quite expensive. Those boys sure can eat. I do not do too bad myself, as my girth will testify.
“Airgun manufacturers are experiencing a long dry sales spell at present. I hear them complain that the market is down and nobody is buying their airguns.” Do you have any theories about why that is, Tom? Maybe gun enthusiasts are diverting their dollars to firearms out of concern about the current state of our politics and how much one can trust our current crop of politicos and their forked tongues, so this could involve a psychology of “buy before bans.” Or it could just be generalized jitters about the economy. In FM’s case, his next dollars will be going towards obtaining a suitable concealed-carry piece though nothing says another airgun, say a 3622, might still come to live at Casa FM in the interim.
As for the NC airgun show, sadly no-show for FM this year; life issues, priorities and hurricanes sometimes get in the way.
FM,
That is a real shame, though I do understand that “Life Happens”.
It is a shame RR, though it guarantees any Maximus to be found will be yours by default, though your friend here would have given you first shot at one. Life is really happening to some of our friends and family in the Carolinas right now, including to a good friend right outside Asheville. She’s been heard from and is ok, but no power or water. Hopefully she can “get out of Dodge” until things half-settle down there. It will take a lot of effort and time for that to happen.
FM,
We shall see. It is still not carved in stone that I will be going this year, but it is starting to look like such. I very likely will not end up with another Maximus, but there is a good chance I may end up with a 3622. Again, we shall see.
I likely will keep my focus on the “old gals”. I will most definitely be hunting for some parts. The time before last there was a dealer with a display of old Webley parts, and I picked up a sear for my Junior.
The first time I went I saw a very old Diana at a very, very reasonable price and like a fool I did not get it. I will use as an excuse that I had not yet started RRHFWA and my collection of “old gals”.
Basil,
I think inflation is a big reason for the sales slump.
BB
Believe so too – big reason why the FMs haven’t gone out of their way to shop for newer wheels also, aside from the pain of having to deal with shark-toothed dealers.
FM,
I would like to buy a new set of wheels myself. Everything costs waaaay too much these days. Have you bought any beef lately?
Thankyou Joe and Kamala.
BB, where does the Crosman 451 fall in the semi automatic field? It has a rotary feeding mechanism, that I believe it is powered by CO2. Is it considered a true semi auto? I stumbled on one of these a couple of months ago and it is still holding air. I shot it a few times, but I’m concerned that with the apparent lack of parts and folks willing to work on them, that it might be best to just admire it and limit shooting it. What do you think ?
It is a rare bird indeed.
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/02/crosmans-mysterious-451-military-45-auto/
fishoot,
The 451 is a true semiauto. But it is both complex to keep running and ultra rare. Best look at one and gety a 600 to shoot.
BB
That’s what I’ll do, the 451 will be in the “Fondle Occasionally” group.
fishoot,
Agreed it’s a true semi, but it does have a cylinder rotating. So does the semiauto revolver I referred to Bob earlier in this blog. The lines get blurred lol.
Doc
BB,
how about the Daisy Powerline 400? I thought you tested one of these years ago, but can’t find it now. I think this were true semiautos but I could be wrong. Seem they were accurate and many liked them. Not sure what happened.
Doc
Doc,
For sure the Powerline 200, a BB pistol, was a true semi. But they broke too soon and you almost never see a working one.
BB
BB,
Yes I have a couple of the 200’s (One working). But I was talking about the 400. The Dessert Eagle looking semi. https://www.replicaairguns.com/posts/2016/6/25/daisy-powerline-model-400-co2-blowback-bb-pistol-table-top-r.html
Doc
I have a Crosman 99, a CO2 air rifle (BB, you took a photo of me holding that rifle at the defunct Roanoke Airgun show, which I acquired through a penny-saver ad in NJ many years ago ) which uses the same mechanism for loading and holding pellets. The lever action performs the loading instead of the CO2. Looks to be a model of the Savage 99 lever action rifle.
Fred formerly of the Demokratik Peeples Republik of NJ now happily in GA
The magazine and action is similar to my Crosman 99 rifle that is also 22 cal.
The rifle is leaver action not semi automatic.
B.B., and Readership,
Up above i wrote this to Bob M:
Semantics. There are NO semiautomatic pistols! The proper name is automatic as in autoloader. A pull the trigger once pistol (handgun) and shoot multiple rounds is properly identified as a Machine Pistol.
if someone can prove me wrong please do; i will eat my ( chocolate) hat.
shootski
BB, do you still have this 600?
I expect that most of the velocity increase will come from the longer barrel.
Derrick,
I do still have it and yes, it does shoot faster.
BB
Not to be contentious, but as a point of discussion the ASSOCIATION OF FIREARM & TOOL MARK EXAMINERS GLOSSARY 6th edition has separate listings under Section 1:Firearms Identification/Action for Automatic Action and Semiautomatic Action.
https://forensicresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AFTE-Glossary-06-25-2021.pdf
Also the DOJ’s NIJ has a Firearms Examiner Training course archived online that distinguishes auto loading pistols into separate categories- fully automatic pistols and semiautomatic pistols.
https://nij.ojp.gov/nij-hosted-online-training-courses/firearms-examiner-training/module-08/autoloading-semiautomatic-pistols
https://nij.ojp.gov/nij-hosted-online-training-courses/firearms-examiner-training/module-08/autoloading-full-automatic-pistols
Remarq,
Thank you for the links.
Not contentious all!
Interesting resources on the AFTE and NIJ information.
From the AFTE’s glossary: “Semiautomatic Action – A repeating firearm that requires a separate pull of the trigger for each shot fired, and which uses the energy of discharge to perform a portion of the operating or firing
cycle. Also known as an autoloader or self-loader.”
I suspect that second sentence was included to placate
folks who were taught like me.
My chocolate hat will however remain uneaten for now.
shootski
I think BB uses the term ‘Revolver Action’ to describe any pistol that positions a pellet or BB inline to shoot the next shot by the action of pulling the trigger as opposed to the action of the pistol cycling action when shot. It may not be a rotating action, just something mechanical with linkage to the trigger.
A pistol that cycles a bolt when shot to set up the next shot after being fired would be an ‘Automatic’ Cycle Action. Not a Revolver action that requires a trigger pull to cycle things. A ‘Manual’ Cycle Action.
Semi or Full Automatic seems to be terms created to identify how an ‘automatic’ pistol was designed to shoot. One shot per trigger pull, or many shots.
Then we have that automatic revolver that rotates the cylinder when shot.