FT pistol recommendations?

pretty sure the 1720 is prod dimensions and longer than 15" .. but yeah, it would likely eat those other options for a morning snack properly dialed in .. i know nothing about it, you sure thats not just barrel length theyre talking ?

The 1720 is a great field target pistol and used by many..

Unless you want to spend over $1000, the 1720T is hands-down the best choice. Great trigger too.

1720T and me,.

Sooo accurate, the trigger takes just a whisper. 

If I didn't build my own variations of ft pistols it would be hands down the 1720. most people can get a very usable tune on them for ft competition. I'll always vote in favor of the 1720. 

Ive had three pp700s. Two I turned LW barrels for, were accurate. Regs weren't anything amazing. Only decent shotcount. Triggers needed some serious work. 

As Cameron above somewhat skates AROUND ... LOL Most of the West Coasts Best FT Pistol shooters are using "Custom" conversions from cut down rifles or stripped down purpose built carbines with removable butt stocks.



W/O mentioning names to there guns .... WE SEE

Cut down QB79's

Cut down M-rod rifles

Cut down BSA scorpions

Cut down AA S200's

Thomas carbines

And a slew of 1720's and a few PP700 etc .....





In AAFTA Pistol field target competition the BASE for Hunter and Limited PISTOLS is basically THIS: no more than 25" OAL, No more than 15" of TOTAL barrel length.

12X Maximum scope power, Limited can Click, Hunters can not. 12 FPE max power.

Hunter can use shooting sticks, Limited can not and so it goes !!

... SEE AAFTA rule book for exact specifics.



It is a Really really really fun game and really hard if you can't get stable & why we see so many shooting styles / holds / seating being done at matches.

…Hunter & Limited do differ in allowable FORE STOCK depth however,…

... SEE AAFTA rule book for exact specifics.

Click to expand...

For pistol FT, Hunter and Limited have the same fore end depth allowance .

“4. Fore end depth is limited to a maximum of 3 inches, measured from the center of the barrel to the lowest part of the gun forward of the trigger guard”

Scott and Scott have years more experience than I do, and Cameron is just brill with his creations and shooting. If you aren't a machinist, you can find a $400 1720T w scope , used- one just sold online- and run with the big dogs in Hunter FT. 

that is almost impossible with rifle. I think pistol is more fun as well. If you can find a match to attend, ask to see if you can borrow a pistol and jump in.

This discussion reminds me of a related story. Actually several, but I'll start with this one.

Cameron and I were shooting our very similar "pistols" side by side on the practice range when we met for the first time at the last FT Nationals I contested. Coincidentally, at the very same moment I was aware Mike Niksch, who someone had pointed out earlier, was sitting right behind us. Cameron asked me, "Oh, is your pistol a QB HPA conversion also?" (like his pistol); an easy mistake considering my 1960s vintage Crosman 187 is of very similar design to a QB (which is just a Chinese copy of the 187's big brother, the Crosman 167). 

Knowing Mike was too close to not overhear the conversation, and because I'm such an a**hole, I replied, "No, mine's not a QB. It's a Crosman 187; a Ghetto Thomas!" Mind you, that comment had much to do with my realization that putting a 187 rifle stock on my cut-down pistol would essentially make it WFTF rifle class capable; ala Mike's genius of making his platform equally rifle/pistol capable. 

Suffice to say Thomas rifles, pistols, and rifle/pistols made fantastic showings at that FT Nationals. So I used that as an excuse to introduce myself to The Man at the awards ceremony while congratulating him on his creation(s), and crediting him for increasing participation in my creation, pistol field target. I suspect if Mike recognizes my name the first thought that pops into his head is "Oh, that's the Ghetto Thomas a**hole!" 

Come to think of it, the same thought probably also pops into Cameron's head when he hears my name!

Never seen so many THOMAS guns at one time prior to that event. It was my personal turning point in Pistol to JOIN the Pistol / Rifle chop down club or forever get beat by them ... Sad truth.

Sense "17" shooting a chopped Rifle have racked up no less than 6 State Championship wins .... yea these Shorty but legal rifle conversions indeed have advantage over a purpose built pistol .... another sad truth.



Scott S

I am putting a Crosman 1720, with hamster and wide trigger shoe, plus Hawke 3-12 scope on the classifieds shortly, Bought it to start pistol FT, but decided to just do rifle. Scope has yard marks on wheel. Includes a nice soft case that has handle and shoulder strap. Will be selling for about 40% off.

Greg Sauve