Thinking of Airguns

E

ErikD

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
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I have always enjoyed shooting, but never had enough time to get in practice to get decent at it. I graduated from college in May, and have been looking for a job ever since. So I currently have some free time on my hands, and I guess I could use it to practice some more. All I really need is something fairly cheap to occupy some time in the afternoons before I go into work, as I am currently working nights and weekends in an unrelated field. I am also looking into getting a second job for the mornings that is more related to my field (computer science). With that in mind...

I want to get a decent airgun to practice with. I need to shoot in my basement, so nothing too powerful. I will be shooting in an unfinished poured cement space, so doing any damage isn't a concern. There is one problem with this space though, I only have about 18-20 feet from where I would shoot to the target. For that reason I am thinking of going with a pistol.

I previously tried one of them that I got at a local sporting goods store and wasn't impressed. It was a Crossman CO2 powered repeater. After less than one tin of pellets the gun started to act up, and only got worse so I junked it. I also have an older Smith and Wesson gun that seems to be of really high quality, unfortunately an O is shot and it no longer holds any pressure. So I am leaning more towards a single shot non CO2 powered model. I have been looking especially closely at the Beeman P3, but any other suggestions would be welcomed. I think as this free time to shoot might end at any moment if I get a full time job, or a second part time one, I would like to keep it under $200 or so.

I have been following the other airgun threads recently, so I have gathered that the P3 is a pretty highly regarded gun. I am really just looking to see if there is anything else that I should look into at this price range, and type of gun before buying anything. Also, I wonder a bit about how valuable it really is to shoot at such a close range.
 
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=78

This is the one I would look at. IZH-46M, bit over $200 but it's an extremely accurate pistol and a super bargain! I have one and am very impressed.

You might be able to find them a little cheaper, I just pull the first link I found.

Or, if you want a Colt .45 repeater PM me, I have one we might be able to work a deal on.
 
Well I haven't fired a gun, live ammo or airgun, for over a year. I just went down into the basement, setup a target and pulled out my Gamo rifle. It is a pretty cheap one that I probably got about five or more years ago at a sporting goods store for maybe $70 or so. It just doesn't feel right firing a rifle at such close ranges though. Seems I need to adjust the sights on it, but I am actually pretty impressed with the accuracy.

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ohen,
Thanks for the offer, but if that is the Colt I have seen it shoots steel BBs. I don't really feel like dodging BBs that bounce out of my pellet trap.:D
 

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Get out of the basement and join a shooting range.

You're going to get out of your current situation: bad eyes from poor light and squinting, possible ricochet in that small space, your neighbors might still complain because of the echoes in the basement.
 
Replace the seals in that S&W! (That is not incompatible with buying a new toy....) :cool:
 
The P3 is just about perfect for what you want to do with it. I haven't had any trouble with ricochets from mine (I have the wiehrauch version) using match wadcutter pellets. Then tend to just flatten out and bounce staight back it they bounce at all. Might land at your feet, no zingers like my 1000fps gamo rifle can do:D
The P3 is a very accurate gun. Can't really appreciate it until you've pulled the trigger on it, might be a few ounces and almost no slack or travel.

The range may seem short, but the P3 is capable of one hole groups :D When you can shoot that good off hand, left or right you might start worrying about finding a longer range:D
You can always join a range or head out to the hills and blast away with something bigger too. The P3 will be great practice for all those times when you've just got a little time to kill but not enough to really go anywhere.
 
Cougar Allen said:
Replace the seals in that S&W! (That is not incompatible with buying a new toy....) :cool:
Click to expand...

I don't understand, what would fixing one air pistol have to do with buying another one? They are about as closely related as computers and the abacus.:D Actually I would really love to get new seals, actually I think all I need is one O-ring. If anyone has any idea where I could get it I would be one happy camper. Would just a regular old hardware store O-ring work?

Matt,
Sounds like I will probably be going for the P3. That is pretty much exactly what I am looking for, something I can just use when I have some time to kill, but can't or don't want to go out anywhere. I figure this way I can improve my rather lacking skills, and hopefully someday move up to joining a range and getting some regular guns.
 
Check Pyramid air or Arizona Airguns, they may have seals. Or maybe the Crossman site.

If that fails then try the hardware store. (or try them first, they're cheap and convientent)
 
My brother has replaced the seals on several old airguns, getting the seals direct from the manufacturer. They're cheap, and his theory is you should replace the whole set -- probably only one is leaking right now, but they've all deteriorated.
 
Hmm, I doubt if Smith & Wesson have any more parts for this gun, as far as I know it is no longer made. It is a Model 79G .177 Caliber pellet pistol. Thanks for the tip though, I sent them an email anyway to see if it is possible.
 
ErikD said:
Hmm, I doubt if Smith & Wesson have any more parts for this gun, as far as I know it is no longer made. It is a Model 79G .177 Caliber pellet pistol. Thanks for the tip though, I sent them an email anyway to see if it is possible.
Click to expand...

Car repair shops carry a compartmented box with all sizes of popular o-rings. They will probably give you a replacement if you take the old one.
 
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