Recommend me pistol options for a vintage collection

[Sicumj]

I have a Rocket 262 just like the photo above. Uses 8 gram cartridges and has two hammer positions for low and high velocities. A neat pistol and powerful on high. I believe the two settings on the hammer is the difference between 252 and 262.

I have several air pistols but the 262 is one of my favorites. Of what I own the Rocket, Diana 6M and Benjamin 132 pistols are my favorite.

 

[MJS]

There’s a Rocket I am looking at now listed as a Benjamin 262. Is that right? How does that differ from the 252 Ron mentions above?

The 252 was an earlier model ('53 to '56). The 262 went from the late 50's to '80. Not sure about the physical differences.

 

[Steveoo]

The OEM barrel version of this LP53K..

 

[ctshooter]

The OEM barrel version of this LP53K..

View attachment 306832

Hard enough to find a LP53, I bet this is a very rare bird there.

 

[ctshooter]

I just repaired another Crosman 150 I got in very good condition, but just old and leaky. Is 5-5.5 fpe common for these? It's got quite a pop to it. And upwards of 6fpe when I shoot a 25.4gr pellet.

 

[Steveoo]

Its strange what you can turn up when you least expect it but when you do dont let it pass you by.

 

[ctshooter]

Its strange what you can turn up when you least expect it but when you do dont let it pass you by.

Agree 100%. A near new FWB 80 popped up in the classifieds a few nights ago. I waited to send a PM till the next morning and it was already sold.

 

[Westypete]

Great thread! Hard to beat your collection ,CT but if interesting and rare catch your attention how about a pair of Crosman 451 Military .45 autos. Single action .22 with functioning slide and realistic light recoil. Only made for less than 2 years in ‘69&’70. They are true 6 shot autos with very nice triggers and good accuracy. The magazine is a marvel in itself . It revolves in the plane of the barrel,90 degrees from the usual position. The pellets load skirt first through the side of the upper action. These things are a blast to shoot. If I had to fault them I will admit they are
major CO2 hogs,getting only 3 mags per 12 gram cartridge.

 

[Blackmoor]

I have the Walther LP 53 and the Predom Lucznik. They are very similar pistols. The fit/finish on the Predom is more like what one would find on a farm implement, though. Which makes it all the more fun to shoot as you are not worried about damaging a collectors item. Photo- LP 53 left, LP2 right. The Predom is on loan to my son, right now.

 

[ctshooter]

@Westypete - those are really cool. I saw one on eBay and missed it. Now there is only an empty box available, LOL.

 

[ctshooter]

I decided it was important to add some Webley and Scott pistols to the collection. The newer ones with the silk screening and not made in England didn't do it for me. Came across some very early Mark 1s from the early to mid 1920s. Top is a Mark 1 Series Four and the bottom one is a Mark 1 Series Two with a very low 2257 serial number. Both still shoot amazingly well for their age and function perfectly. Unfortunate on the homemade wood grip on the older one so I may go on the hunt in 2023 for some original screws grips.

 

[Westypete]

@Westypete - those are really cool. I saw one on eBay and missed it. Now there is only an empty box available, LOL.

I don’t have a box! Going to check eBay, thanks!

 

[Luckyshot]

There’s a Rocket I am looking at now listed as a Benjamin 262. Is that right? How does that differ from the 252 Ron mentions above?

The Rocket 262 has a high and low power setting. It has plastic grips where the 252 has wood. The 252 is more compact at 8" long compared to 9.5" for the Rocket 262. There are probably other differences I am not aware of.