Springer pistols

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1BadDart

1BadDart

Member
May 15, 2017
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Kentucky, United States
Guys I have a couple of very good shooting air rifles and now and with winter coming on I'm thinking about a pistol to shoot inside. I can shoot my rifles in my shop at 15 yards if I want but I don't always keep the heat past 45°. My house has small basement that I can shoot 9 yards in short sleeves so a pistol makes sense.

What's a good accurate spring pistol? I'd like to eventually buy a FWB 65 but at 57 years old I'm thinking something cheaper to start so I can make sure I can (see) shoot it.



Thanks, justin
 
Why wait. I'm 78 and still get bitten by the $$$ guns. As far as springers are concerned, the FWB 65/80/90 are the best you can get. I've shot them competitively and can vouch that no other springer can come close. Ya, you might spend $4-500 for one, but if you decide to sell it, you will get most if not all your money back. Won't happen with others. If you want to go on the cheap, get a CP1M CO2 pistol, they shoot well and cost $79. You'll have to turn up the thermostat, though.
 
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I concur with JPS about the FWB recoilless springers. However I would go so far as to say recoiling spring pistols could put you completely off hand-gunning by creating the illusion "I'm just not a good pistol shot", like they have for many new handgunners. In my opinion it simply isn't possible for a human to achieve any gratifying level of accuracy with a recoiling spring pistol. 

You should also consider a single-stroke pneumatic pistol. A good one will outshoot any hands holding it, and consequently allow the shooter to not only realize their abilities, but more importantly, ENJOY pistol shooting! Great-shooting SSPs don't necessarily have to be expensive, as you'll find a lot of folks raving about the inexpensive Beeman P-3 (and generic equivalent). But an FAS 6004 or Beeman P-2 will not only outshoot any human, but have fine quality and aesthetics as well (for around $400-500).

For more information and insights from one of the best air-pistol shots on Earth (that just published a new air pistols book)-

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I am going to save you a little bit of grief here...

Let me comment on the FWB65 and say though it is no doubt a supremely accurate 10 meter pistol, it is not that fun to shoot it for an extended shooting session due to its cocking effort which is the reason I rarely shoot mine. It is not only due to the heavy cocking effort, but also a bit awkward unless you are strong or cock it against your thigh but still is not that fun to do because of that extra last snick. I shoot mine at extended ranges and use easier to cock pistols for close range work. It is not even close to the pleasure and ease of cocking and shooting a 300s all day long.

I have a $30 Beeman P17 which I would say has mindblowing accuracy and would even put it up against guns costing 10 times as much or even more but that too is pretty hard to shoot for extended sessions due to hands getting sore from pumping and closing it but would prefer to pump this one instead of the 65.

I would suggest a Daisy 747 or 777 or at least a 717 in you case. It is ridiculously easy to cock and a joy to shoot all day long. The trigger is the weakest link when compared to true match pistols but manageable.

If you are only shooting 9 yards then I would recommend the 717 because it is one hole accurate enough and it appears as though the 717 with the factory Daisy barrel seemed to be less pellet sensitive than the others. You can feed it cheap ammo and still do one holers.

If you are set on going the spring piston pistol route for basement target shooting then I would suggest the HW70 or Diana 5 since both are very accurate for your purpose and the HW70 is the easier of the two to cock. Reason I mention these are that they don't appear to be pellet fussy at all using cheap ammo.

If you end up getting the FWB65 you will definitely understand my mentioning this to you before buying one in the effort to try to save you some grief. It reminds me of cocking an RWS side lever such as the model 54.



Walt








 
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My suggestion would be to pick up a Beeman P17 to shoot while your making up your mind. It's probably the best deal in airgunning,it's accurate,well built and easy to work on. Mine has gotten easier to operate with use,btw. I have taken dozens of chipmunks,sparrows and starlings with a red dot out to 20+ yds.

Just dont take Too long deciding which pistol to upgrade to...You will probably just say the hell with it and keep the P17 as not much will actually out-shoot it!

Mike.
 
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also know as the marksman 2007 , the beeman p17 is probably the perfect clone of the beeman p3. it's one of the best airgun deals out there...it's a pneumatic , like webley alecto , so recoiless. if you gotta have a spring/piston - the diana 6m , aka beeman 10 , is nice if you dont have large hands....seems my hands had troubles with diana pistols made since the 80's. there's a guy selling a .20 cal beeman p1 (hw45). those are nice too..... if you dont need a scope, tho - the cometa indian , or rws 9b / 9n .. ...but the crosman mark1 (although co2 nood good in 45 degrees) is my favorite - i'm no good with pistols, but i'm a good shot with that piece. 
 
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No one has yet mentioned the RWS Diana model 10. This pistol is probably the most recoilless pistol ever made. It uses the opposing giss system method of eliminating recoil. A little larger than the FWB 65 series, but definitely less recoil. You really can't tell that it just shot a pellet after pulling the trigger. It just sits still. I sold mine a couple of years ago because I wanted a more powerful pistol, and purchased the Ataman AP16 PCP .22 cal. It's the one in my avitar.

Good luck with your search.
 
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I had 2 FWB 65s and an 80 some time ago. I would not consider them difficult to cock but they ARE heavy to hold with one hand for 60+ shots for a 10m match. The Diana/RWS 10 is MUCH harder to cock and just as heavy. I sold all the springers after picking up a Pardini K58 ssp. Fairly light and not too difficult to pump + I've had it for 20+ years now and not 1 single issue or even any maintenance other than wiping it clean and a drop of oil now and then. The IZH is quite good but did not fit me as well or look and feel as nice. The FAS 6004 is also the best pistol of this barrel lift pump type and is quite nice and has been made for a long time.

Bob 
 
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