If you ever stroll over to the Brian Enos forum, you will find that many of the nation's top shooters are spending a lot of training time with quite sophisticated airsoft guns.

I am old fashioned when it comes to airpistols, I use a Walther LP53 and a Feinwerkbau 65 to work on accuracy.

 

I have a Daisy/Avanti 747 pellet pistol. It's very good for pistol training and pretty darn accurate at 10 meters. :t

Snap caps and dry firing is also excellent practice...most Olympic shooters do more dry firing than actual firing.

 

Here is the question: what air pistols are a good match to their power burning counterparts? Looks like some Walthers ppk, etc., browning buckmarkair and Gamo P-23 may be a close match. I have not found any clones of pistols in my collection so anything that cclose will work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
//dm

Like Andyd mentioned, airsoft pistols have basically cornered the market on firearms replicas that work like firearms.

There are a few BB gun replicas out there, but they usually don't have the self cocking blow back feature that airsoft usually has. Although, some BB pistols are now being made that way. Look into the CO2 BB guns if you want a repeater.

Ones I have that replicate (in looks, but not in function) a firearm are the Gamo PT80 (Beretta/Stoeger Cougar), the Gamo V3 (1911 commander), and the Walther PPK (Walther PPK of course). The Walther is the closest replica in function of the bunch.

I also have a friend with a Makarov BB pistol that is a nice replica of a Makarov.

What kind of firearms are you trying to match? Poke around at Pyramyd Air and see if they have what you want.

 

I need to add, these BB pistols are not nearly as accurate as their single shot pellet adversaries. They are good for short range "self defense" practice in your garage or for plinking, though.

 

Dave, it would help if we knew more about what kind of training you are wanting to accomplish.

 

I forgot about this website. http://co2airguns.net/Collection/index.htm

It is a pretty cool place to look up old and new CO2 air pistol replicas. There is a short review and shooting test with each one.

 

Don't know if you are looking to mimic any specific handgun that you own or not.

For me, I own a Ruger SR-22, but wasn't crazy about the airpistols that were close in design (ie the Walthers). I wanted something fairly inexpensive and appropriate for use in my basement.

I happend upon a Browning Buck Mark look-alike, made by Umarax. Of course it is not at all like my SR-22, but it sure looks a lot like the famous target pistol for which it is named. It was less than $50, is a break barrel design (one very easy pump and no CO2 to bother with).

It shoots at 320 fps, so it's great for indoors with an appropriate pellet trap. It's also very quiet and remarkably accuarate for a springer. I've just finished going through 1000 pellets and I'm getting the hang of how to handle the gun.

I have to say that the ability to practice frequently at home, working on things like breath and trigger control and follow-through ( a real MUST with a springer), seems to have helped me at the gun range when shooting my Ruger. I guess the practice, even with a non similar pistol, really helps.

Good luck with whatever pistol you choose. It's great fun and should help your marksmanship in the long run.

 

Depending on what type of shooting you do, you might look for an air pistol based on how it shoots rather than what it looks like. Mine is a Crosman 2300s CO2. Can't remember the cost but $200+ and it's very accurate. With a little work it now has a nice trigger. I have shot some that cost more, shoot better and were a joy to handle. If you want one-hole accuracy then you should practice with a pistol that can do it. If you don't care about that you can have a lot of fun shooting for less money but you won't necessarily get the quality you'd have in, for example, a real Browning Buckmark.

 

Mrs. Oldgringo's CC is a 638 S&W snubbie. She took to the Crosman 357W like a duck takes to water.

Yeah, yeah, I know the big 357 is not a snubbie; however, the actions, processes and aiming procedures are the same. She's not interested in being a competitor, she and I just want to be comfortable that she can hit the BG's COM if, heaven forbid, she's ever called upon to do so.

YMMV,

 

I recommend going to pyramydair.com. I have 6 co2 guns, 5 from them. Got a S&W45 from either Walmart or something similar. It's an exact replica to the real thing. Shoots pellets or BBs. Then I have three Dan Wesson revolvers, a chrome 2 1/2" barrel, a 4" black, and a 6" chrome. These guys are all metal and shoot BBs that you load into what looks like 38 special bullets. For fun I have an Uzi. Shoots 25 BB magazine loads as fast as you can pull the trigger. There's a way to convert it to full auto that I might do at some point but it voids the warranty. Finally I have a Colt 1911 pellet/BB gun. Also all metal. Weight and feel is exactly like the 45 version. No recoil but very nice. The Dan Wessons were $120 each, the Uzi was $160, the Colt was $200. Hours of cheap fun in my garage. The Colt and S&W can shoot 6 of 8 shots in a 1" diameter at 4 yards. And I'm not the best marksman.

 

:bthumb: for http://www.pyramydair.com/

 

I spent many cold nights in my basement with my Beeman P-17. $40. Ripped the cheapo red dot off and used the surprisingly good irons. Did an o-ring change out, trigger job and ended up with a good, accurate pistol that has helped me develop some good shooting habits that carry over into my Conventional rimfire pistol shooting. Thanks to the ammo shortage, I was able to re-discover a fun past time!

 

I should have checked back sooner. Thanks for the advice and links.

MY interest in air shooting is basic conservation on real ammunition stocks as I used to shoot close to a brick a month and have not had a 22 out for several months. I have not seen any ammo here in the SouthEast other than $9/box this year. Hence the Air pistol training. Looking for the feel and function for plinking. I will look at models recvommended here in this thread as well as the web site ...http://co2airguns.net/Collection/index.htm

This is a great reource for someone looking for a replicar air pistol. I will spend some time finalizing my choice or 2.

For target shooting the Crosman 2300T looks like a good value.

//dm

 

If your interested in semi auto training I highly recommend the Gamo PT-85. I picked one up at Wally World for $70 USD. It has a rifled barrel, blowback action, and a 16 round magazine.
It isn't a replica of any particular gun. It has a nice heft to it and fits my hand very well. Single or double action. A slide lock would have been a nice touch, but I guess you can't have it all at this price.
The blowback has a nice kick. The construction is quite good for the money spent.
Performance wise I am getting 2" groupings at ten yards, off hand, using Crosman destroyer pellets. Crosman pointed and Daisy pointed aren't as accurate. Three good mags per cartridge at 70°F. Four at 85°F. I only have one magazine so the CO2 is warming up between loadings. If you shoot through three mags without a rest you will get less shots.
POI is a little left. When I get around to disassembling the gun I am going to look at tightening up the side play in the slide and get the POI centered.
The sights are fixed with white dots. The elevation is correct with the front sight even with the top of the rear. The front dot is higher than the rear dots when sighted. I prefer them to be even.
I have put two 20 cart boxes of CO2 through the gun so far without a problem.
When I bought the gun I also picked up a Crosman airgun holster for $9 USD. It fits the PT-85 perfectly and is made well enough for a carry holster for a firearm.
At .02¢ a shot it will keep me from getting rusty till the 22lr's come back and keep me shooting indoors during the winter.:t
-Tal

Pic from replica airguns. No affiliation.

 

Just picked up 2 of these not bad for 70.00 cheap fun

 

Not perfect but works

For a very similar feel to my "defensive" handguns, I found a S&W M&P style airgun. CO2 powered.

It's not perfect... not blow back operated, and I really need some more mags, but for grip angle and sight picture it works well. Helps a lot with trigger control because the trigger sucks!!

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_510551_-1__?N=4294965779

Fits my S&W holster, and holds about 25 bb's, so it's nice to practice with. No recoil obviously, and no noise, but for target acquisition, sight picture and trigger control it does the job.

 

For a very similar feel to my "defensive" handguns, I found a S&W M&P style airgun. CO2 powered.

It's not perfect... not blow back operated, and I really need some more mags, but for grip angle and sight picture it works well. Helps a lot with trigger control because the trigger sucks!!

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_510551_-1__?N=4294965779

Fits my S&W holster, and holds about 25 bb's, so it's nice to practice with. No recoil obviously, and no noise, but for target acquisition, sight picture and trigger control it does the job.

I bought one of these a couple of years ago. I completely agree about the trigger. The sights make up for the awful trigger to some extent as they are very good in my opinion. The thing does feel exactly like my real M&P size wise.
I bought one of the Colt Commander replicas at the same time. It feels like the real thing plus has enough weight to be realistic. Much better trigger than the M&P and I find it to more accurate also. Both will give a lot of shooting per powerlet.

I have a Desert Eagle pellet pistol also. Big, like the real thing, and blow back operated. Trigger isn't bad either. It has a rail and I added a cheap red dot sight and found this thing to be surprisingly accurate. The only drawback is it's appetite for CO2.

I also shoot a Baby Desert Eagle. It mostly compares to the M&P except the trigger is a little better.

They all help to maintain what little skill I have.

 

Old guy here with old guy toys. I'm finding my Beeman P1 is a good practice analog for my S&W model 41. I'll shoot pellets during commercials or between chapters (I read).

First five

Second five with a flyer (it happens)

Doing this indoors at 7 meters helps with my .22 league shooting at 50 feet. Besides, I just like to shoot! Having an indoor "range" is really great for enhancing skills.

I don't think you'll regret it one bit!

 

I like the Beeman P1 (Weihrauch HW 75) and the Baikal IZH 46M. Each covers practice with different types of match target pistols pretty well.

Beeman P1

Baikal IZH 46M

 

I agree with MParker. The Beeman P1, or even better, the P2 is a full size and weight 1911 style single shot one pump pistol. SUPER accurate and made as well as the powder burners. These are truly hand- me- down Heirlooms.

 

I shoot bullseye. I have been using a Crosman 2240 for basement practice.

Shoots great too!!

CW

 

what optic is that?

 

Although we have a couple of superb Olympic style match air pistols, we will soon be getting the HW75 to more closely duplicate the feel of a 1911 in the hand.

 

The Beeman P1 uses 1911 grips, so is a great match for that. As a springer, the piston jumps before the pressure launches the pellet, so you need a firm grip for accuracy. Not insanely tight but not light either. It has helped me gain accuracy with my S&W model 41, and bonus, indoor shooting at home all winter.

I also strap on 5lb weights to my wrists for strengthening while using fine motor control. It helps too. The Beeman is hefty as it is, well made and accurate. You could do worse.

Oops, duplicate. Cannot delete, sorry.

 

The Beeman P1 uses 1911 grips, so is a great match for that. As a springer, the piston jumps before the pressure launches the pellet, so you need a firm grip for accuracy. Not insanely tight but not light either. It has helped me gain accuracy with my S&W model 41, and bonus, indoor shooting at home all winter.

I know this is an old thread but felt compelled to respond... Back in the late '70s, while in my teens, I had a S&W 78G pellet pistol. The 78G looked like the Model 41 with the 7" barrel. I shot that gun to death! In 1981 I bought my Model 41 5" Heavy Barrel. You can be sure the 78G influenced the choice of my first "real" handgun... At age 22 the Model 41 was expensive ($280) compared to most handguns but I didn't care... I wanted one! Tens of thousands of rounds later the 41 still works and looks great. I've never had regrets for getting either gun as they both provided me with countless hours of shooting pleasure. All that said, I just got a P1 to relive the pellet gun days. A few years ago I made a bunch of slingshots modeled after the Wham-O Sportsman to relive those days... gave them to many friends too! Doing my best to stay young and have fun...

 

Just got a crosman vigilante revolver .All I can say is fun fun fun.
That & a Winchester pellet rifle allow me to practice at home between range time .
Practice is key to marksmanship.

 

I just bought a Benjamen Trail at wally world,quite happy with it(for years I had a Winchester/Diana springer,but it wore out years ago(it's around 40 years old),the benji uses the nitro piston,,and I have been having a ball,close up it will send a daisy pointed pellet 200 plus pages into a phone book,it tosses pellets well and with accuracy,the trigger leaves a bit to be desired,and I have seen folks on Ya'all tube complaining about the cocking extension interfering with the front sight,but I have no problem with it,for the price I'm pretty pleased-,the Winchester cost $100. plus back in 1973,the Benji was $70. this year,the wife bought a Umarex /colt all metal BB pistol for practice(we are finally working on pistol permits) with it's size and heft the Benji will make a passable trainer for my cap and ball Walker Colt,but a bit outsized for the average Autoloader as a trainer.
The Umerex BB gun goes under the name Colt Defender,has the Colt logo's on it,essentially looks like a mid size version 1911 design, all metal, feels like a "real gun" not a "toy"$49.99 at Wallys,we finally took it out after I initially posted this,shoots very nicely,30 feet away the wife aims it, and nails a 1 qt milk carton first try,then proceeds to shred it with quick repeated shots,the Benji is also very accurate,and has the fiber optic sights-very nice,but a bit slower shooting-from what I have seen of reviews the Colt puts the bb's out at around the advertised 410 fps,at 30 ' on a plastic milk jug some go clean through ,some end up inside and some ricoshet off,all in all very pleased with the Colt-worth a look perhaps,I looked at some Air Soft spring pistols-not at all impressed,-have a couple higher priced all metal A.S. rifles of the electric variety, and having a ball with them,they generally have the plastic pellet end up inside the jug.

 

Blackwater 1911 BB pistol.

I have several CO2 pistols that I use for practice. The 1911 Blackwater BB pistol is really nice. All metal, blowback slide and realistic breakdown. Here is a link for more info. These things are addictive.

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Blackwater_BW1911_R2_CO2_Pistol/3227

 

I have been rethinking the use of airsoft pistols as trainers. I have no intention of giving up my pellet guns (Izzy and Beeman) but I'm finding that CO2, gas, and green gas blow-back pistol replicas are available in high quality and configurable versions. Springers less so. Power levels can be adjusted and they can be used more safely and in tighter spaces indoors than pellet pistols. As I see it ... more trigger time and less dry fire.

I have not found any airsoft versions of 22LR target pistols, likely because there are no applications to gaming and simulations for them.

So, I'm only interested in 1911s but there are many others ... Sig 226, Baretta 92, Tanfoglio, Glock, Walther PP, and on and on. Many are very accurate and emulate their powder counterparts quite well. Some are pricy.

I have narrowed down my choices to Tokyo Marui, Western Arms, KJW, and KWA. These are three of the top producers of 1911-styled pistols. They even break down like 1911s. Street prices seem to be around $150 and up, some are way up. I spec'd a custom airsoft based on a Marui frame and slide that would run $1420 if I ordered it. I didn't.