[Thefabulousfink]

I have been shooting pistols more and more and my pistol marksmanship, while "combat proficient" isn't exactly "bull's-eye proficient". Now I know that the only real way to improve is "practice, practice, practice", but my budget prevents daily (or even weekly) range trips.

So I had the idea, "how about an air pistol?" Air pistols are cheap to feed, quiet, and I could probably set a trap to shoot in my appartment without anyone noticing. So my questions are:

Could air pistols provide worthwhile at-home practice?
Do you think that this could be done safely and quitely in a place with close neighbors like an apartment building?
Are their any air pistols that have quality sights and triggers?

[Waywatcher]

I just dry fire my real guns. That way I'm used to the real triggers.

[JohnKSa]

Yes to all three of your questions.

If you buy quality airguns, the triggers and sights will usually be much nicer than what you're used to with firearms.

The Beeman P3 is a good choice for indoor practice.

There are various CO2 guns available that are more realisting looking and offer the semblance of semi-auto fire. They're not bad choices, but in my experience, they are not as accurate as guns like the P3 and the trigger/sights tend to be a step down as well.

[MikeK]

I have an RWS pellet gun (Co2) that's a replica of a SIG 225. Weight and feel are about the same. When I used it regularly it definitely improved my shooting. It cost ~ $165 6 years ago, but if you search you can probably find one cheaper. I also own a Gamo that's similar to a Glock 26. Lighter and the trigger isn't as good.

The Co2 does make noise so if your apartment has thin walls you may want to wait until your neighbors are gone or run a test with a friend outside the apartment. You don't need hearing protection, but eye protection is a must. The pellets do ricochet.

Dry firing is also a great idea.

[earplug]

I have a Baikal IZH-46M that is one fine shooting Air pistol.
Indoor practice won't bother anyone.
It won't do much for simulating a real pistol if you are worred about practice for defence.

[ArmedBear]

I tried .22 CB Shorts in a revolver, and let me tell you, those things are LOUD in a room with a hardwood floor.:D

[Thefabulousfink]

Thanks for replies,

I am not looking for defensive style shooting, but something to fine tune my accuracy. I have seen some of those Baikal break-action pistols for about $50. It seems ideal for working on 1/2" groups at 20'.

I do pretty good at defensive shooting (double-taps, reload drills), what I am trying to improve is getting that one ragged hole in the center of the target.:cool:

[runninmike]

I use a C02 double action Crosman ".357" with 6" bbl & 10 shot cylinders(.177 cal)in my garage or backyard and shoot @ a box that I put some rolled up carpet in.
It is fairly quiet and very accurate. About $30 @Walfart. I also have a M1377 from Crosman, it is a longer bbl (probably 9-10") single shot-10 pump with rear-pull cocking knob & .177 cal also, & very accurate. This one is about $50. I prefer the ".357". C02 cartridges are reasonable and come in a 15 or 20 pack.
Best-MC

[Kruzr]

For accuracy training, the IZH 46M is a good choice. Under $300 and just about a world class airgun.

http://www.pyramydair.com/images/IZH46.jpg

I shoot mine in the house at 20 feet. Just be sure to have a good backstop, these things shoot at 500 ft/sec. and no CO2 to buy. One cock and it's ready to shoot.

[ACP230]

My son's been using an IZH53M. It ran us around $50, has good sights and a reasonably good trigger. He is practicing for Bullseye and getting more accurate by the day.

I thought about the IZH46 pictured above but couldn't afford it right now.

[dam8]

get yourself a real air pistol. Steyr, Morini,Walther, Pardini.All Olympic grade. Izh 46,46m will shoot almost as well. IMHO a good investment, as I shoot air 80% of the time as to my powder burners

[cslinger]

Here is a review I did of the IZH46M here.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=209115&highlight=IZH
Chris

[Griff]

Crosman 1377c American Classic: http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=198 Variable power, customizable unto death, inexpensive and effective, but the stock sights aren't that hot for my tastes.
Get the shoulder stock, too: http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1036 As you can see, it's skeletonized. If you put a couple of buttcuffs on it, you can store the grips inside, along with some pellets and other goodies. Great little carbine.

They also make other models, too: http://www.crosman.com/site/catalog/crosman/pistol

[razorburn]

This is for bullseye style training, or did you want to do some combat style training too? If bullseye, get something nice and accurate. The marksman 2004 is based on the beeman p3, and a pretty accurate single stroke pneumatic with a very, very light trigger. Also cheap as dirt.

[JN01]

I use a Beeman P3 in my basement to practice with sometimes. In addition, I also have a Beamhit laser target system which you attatch to your firearms, allowing you to practice with your SD gun with same trigger, weight, etc.

[ribbonstone]

Been enjoying air pistols for a long time, and do use them for indorr practice.

But I've found that the match guns, while a devil of a lot of fun and fantastically accurate, aren't the best trainers for firearms. Are just too good....large adjustable hand filling grips, recoiless, sights extreamly sharp and bolt, and a glass rod break trigger of a couple of ounces just isn't the best way to learn to shoot a typical defense gun.

So I enjoy the match guns (FWB 65, IZH 46M, Daisy 777 and an old Hammerli co2), but to practice defense guns, will pick up an old Webley Tempest...short sight radius, trigger not swo crisp and light, and a lot of vibration when fired. Need a firm unifor grip to shoot this one well, and that's what makes it a better trainer than the recoiless match guns.

[Khornet]

if you're training for bullseye, get the best you can manage. I'd put the Baikal at the bottom of the short list, but on the list nonetheless.

I have found that air pistol work improves my firearm bullseye shooting and vice versa. The inital price seems steep, but they last for decades, are economical to shoot, and you won't have to wonder whether you need to imrove or it's just a cheap gun.

For some nice used ones see www.pilkguns.com

[Japle]

For the money, it's hard to beat the Daisy 717.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review35248.html

You can usually find them for $80-100.

I've had one for 25 years, at least. When the seals wear out (thousands of shots), send it back to Daisy and they rebuild it for, IIRC, about $20. Mine's been back three times. The last time, they just replaced the whole pistol!

John
Cape Canaveral

[Spiggy]

airsoft, you can find a $35 spring pistol or maybe even a replica of your real one

-right, KJ M92 in full metal is a decent go - it's blowback so it preps you for flinch and recoil.

Also- it's pretty heavy, close to a real M9 (maybe tad lighter) not to mention 6mm plastic pellets wont go through your house and upset the Missus

[10-Ring]

Dry firing your primary pistol would be more effective. There is nothing like that trigger to simulate firing and proper sight alignment and target acquisition. I would think all you need a is a couple of snap caps and time to practice ;)

[SniperStraz]

Alot of airguns come in almost the exact shape and weight as real handguns. My advice would be to try and get one similar to what you carry. As far as shooting inside... If you're in an apartment I would say its probably not the best idea. I've been using airguns for fun for about 8 years and I've dealt with alot that would go right through 6in. of drywall. I guess its a judgement call on if your walls are thick enough. I know its a slim chance, but if one gets by your target and hits your neighbor in the face, you'll have alot of explaining to do and then go to prison. (and then you'll never get to a real range:D )

[Boom-stick]

I use a brocock TAC revolver for practising with but they are very hard to get, infact over here there are now treated as firearms with the relivant lisences:mad:

[Nortonics]

http://webpages.charter.net/nortonics/shooting/Garage_training_equip.jpg

Surplus Army wool blankets make perfect backstops too...

[PzGren]

When I had been into Bullseye, I often practiced with an air pistol. It helped to improve my results.
While I got rid of my Walther GSP and Haemmerli 208, the Walther LP53 will stay with me.

[WolfMansDad]

+1 on the IZH-46M. I love mine. It is a target pistol, so no rapid fire or quick draw. The grip does allow a "high-thumbs" hold, though, just like you should be using on a defensive handgun. The sights and trigger are excellent! You would normally pay a thousand dollars or more for sights and a trigger of this quality, but the IZH usually runs $300-$400. Use meisterkugelns, not hobby pellets, and you can get one-ragged-hole accuracy at 30 feet.

I tried the daisy 717 and wasn't impressed.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Dry firing your primary pistol would be more effective. There is nothing like that trigger to simulate firing and proper sight alignment and target acquisition. I would think all you need a is a couple of snap caps and time to practice.I agree completely. However, when I was a young man back in the 1980s, I used to load up .38 Special brass with new primers. Then I'd melt down some hard wax in a tin plate to about an inch depth. Then, once it started getting a little firm from cooling, I'd stick in all the primer loaded brass and push down, mouth downwards, of course. This would cut a perfect .357 wax wadcutter for each primed case. Then into the refrigerator. In a few minutes I'd pull them all out and I'd have lots of wax wadcutters I can shoot out of my carry revolver in the house. It will cut right through targets, and knock down tin cans, but will not do too much damage to anything hard in the house. It does hurt quite a bit to be shot by one, though. Not a toy, and should be treated with almost as much caution as a real loaded gun, because you could knock and eye out with it. Lots of fun, but be safe.

[JohnKSa]

If you do load & use wax bullets indoors, you should be aware that most primers contain lead which will be blown into the air with each shot and settle on surfaces in the room you're shooting in.

While airgun pellets are lead, they are metallic lead, the lead contamination is limited to your handling of the pellets and the target area. With a proper target, and standard hygiene practices, there will be no danger of contaminating the room you use for practice.

[The Real Hawkeye]

I guess you should only use wax bullets outdoors, then.

[Nortonics]

Is that why the finish on my cars is all pitted?!






;)