Considering getting into air gun replicas...

This is probably not one that would you would have thought of off the top.
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Browning_Buck_Mark_Air_Pistol/2745
Doesn't require CO2 cartridges is only and is a single shot in 177 caliber.
The biggest pluses are the adjustable sights and the low report of the pistol. Makes it very neighborhood friendly. And also a great little backyard plinker.
I have a section of 4 x 4 treated lumber that's in the yard that's been drilled where I can sit four or five tennis balls on top of it and I just use this to pop the tennis balls off of it.

Good morning. Right off the bat, I recommend going to Pyramyd for your airgun purchases. Amazon is great but you would be better served buying from folks who know and care about their products vs, some fellow ( or automaton ) grabbing a box off of a shelf and tossing it in a bin for shipment That aside, I have the C96 and the Peacemake replicas and they are bang on for realism and fun. They are loud so make sure plinking in your backyard is allowed where you live. If so, here are a few more to consider: S&W Schofield No3, Remington SAA ( shoots BBs and has an extra set of 'cartridges' for pellets ), Tanfoglio Colt 1911 ( uber realistic ) and the MP40 replica ( semi or full auto ) These are all available at Pyramyd.
Regards and Have Fun!

Good evening. Thanks! Replica airgun plinking has turned into my third 'old guy' hobby. ;o) Here are a few more pics of other replicas you could look at: The 7.5" bbl Peacemaker, The Nagant revolver, 5.5 bbl blued Peacemaker and the Webley .455 revolver.
Regards!

PainlessWolf, those are some great looking replicas! I especially like the Peacemaker. I might have started an expensive habit- I grabbed one of those $19.00 Walmart "Black River" DA revolver and even though it's not a replica of anything, I was surprised at the build quality and even shooting BBs, accuracy is good enough to reach out to my hanging pint water bottle targets at 20-plus yards. Makes me itch for a Peacemaker!

Good afternoon, Gentlemen,
I can state that these replicas should be as accurate as the originals. The further away you aim, the more wind and such becomes a factor. The longer barrel models get a little more zip out of the BB or pellet. BadKarmamib, I am really glad you got one of the Colts! I figured that you would like them. I too have heard about the UMAREX issue of soft barrels but have not noticed it in that very early release, blued Colt. The new nickle plated version is a pellet shooter like my 40 year old Crosman 'Peacemaker' ( I have had that gun apart to ship the cylinder for new seals and replace the main spring. That barrel is definitely made of good steel. ) I bought pellet versions as often as I could as these new replicas came on the market. For a BB revolver now, I use the EXCITE brand of copper coated lead BBs and use steel or coated zinc BBs in the semi autos. No issues so far. Cobalt, I am really glad you are enjoying shooting, sir. You don't need a pricey gun to have fun. When I was young, I had whatever I could afford to shoot and Daisys and Crosmans were my favorite choices and really put a smile on my face every time. Having said that, you will really enjoy one of those Colt revolvers too. I figure if we buy, shoot and enjoy, this new Golden Age of Airguns will go on for a good, long time. ;o)
regards all!

I know that "real shooters" get quite self righteous in their disdain; however, I practice with air-soft quite frequently. It is something I can do right at home and is cheap enough that there is no real limit to how much I can practice. I have tried to get the local air-soft shop to set up a IPSC league; they aren't very interested though.

Those Webley replicas are total BEAUTS.

I am getting into airguns, too, and am wanting a Weihrauch HW75 target gun. It shares some design ques from the 1911 but really is its own bird. Supposed to be extremely accurate and cool, price is like that of a real firearm and quality is there.

You are right on the money. Amazing how in Europe Iron Plate shooting is so popular. I train that way all the time and it has been a tremendous help with my Point and Shoot skills. When the ammo shortage was full tilt, I trained hard with BB and Pellet Pistols. And YES, I actually came back a better marksmen in all areas. I too have tried to set up a IDPA but to no Avail. Too much ignorance and snobbery.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEDuJQWiaRE

I recently picked up a Bear River Exterminator 4" CO2-Powered BB Revolver from WM. It's not a replica per se but it uses the same powerplant as some of the guns that are replicas. I figured it was worth $19.00 plus tax (in-store P/U) for spare parts if nothing else! Mine came without the Bear River logo on the barrel and the rails are easily removable to clean up the lines considerably. I've read the small print instructions silkscreened on the side of the receiver will come off using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad but I haven't tried that yet.

Chrono'ed an average of 430 fps. Good part is, it's actually very accurate especially for a smoothbore BB shooter. I'm keeping an eye out for a set of pellet cartridges to see how it does w/them.

cobalt327 said:

I recently picked up a Bear River Exterminator 4" CO2-Powered BB Revolver from WM. It's not a replica per se but it uses the same powerplant as some of the guns that are replicas. I figured it was worth $19.00 plus tax (in-store P/U) for spare parts if nothing else! Mine came without the Bear River logo on the barrel and the rails are easily removable to clean up the lines considerably. I've read the small print instructions silkscreened on the side of the receiver will come off using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser pad but I haven't tried that yet.

Chrono'ed an average of 430 fps. Good part is, it's actually very accurate especially for a smoothbore BB shooter. I'm keeping an eye out for a set of pellet cartridges to see how it does w/them.

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I looked at the Bear River revolvers also. I believe the metal ones are made in the same factory as the Crosman 357 SNR, SR 357 and the Dan Wesson 357 snub nose in silver as well as DW long barreled 357 air gun. Was yours plastic or metal frame? If metal, they must have mismarked it. Walmart's website has it listed for $80. If I knew the top rail was removable I probably would have bought it. I've got the SNR and just picked up a SR 357 yesterday. They both have good power. The 5" SR has some advantage with power and accuracy but both shoot well. They run $68-$78.

I blame all you guys for getting me thinking about airgins again! I have a few airsoft metal, blowback replicas of Berettas (96FS, PX4 compact, & 85). They aren’t as accurate as pellet guns, but they are a load of cheap backyard shooting fun.

I’m afraid to start with the revolver replicas; I’m known to be compulsive with a new hobby, but those above are good looking.

I have had one of these on my wish list tho;
Remington 1911BB CO2 Powered Semi-Auto BB Air Pistol https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LCZHP40/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_DNFDAbX2BS9MH

stonebuster said:

View attachment 777002
I looked at the Bear River revolvers also. I believe the metal ones are made in the same factory as the Crosman 357 SNR, SR 357 and the Dan Wesson 357 snub nose in silver as well as DW long barreled 357 air gun. Was yours plastic or metal frame? If metal, they must have mismarked it. Walmart's website has it listed for $80. If I knew the top rail was removable I probably would have bought it. I've got the SNR and just picked up a SR 357 yesterday. They both have good power. The 5" SR has some advantage with power and accuracy but both shoot well. They run $68-$78.

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It's all metal and is now marked $80.00. I read on one of the forums- maybe here- that WM was blowing them out for $19.00. Missed the deal the first time but darned if it wasn't advertised again about 10 days later. Screaming deal, IMO- heck, a set of 6 cartridges cost over half what the entire gun with cartridges costs!


I found the most annoying part of using this otherwise quite fun revolver is loading it. Some versions come w/a plastic speedloader that I’m sure would help, providing extra cartridges were on hand. But I came up w/another way to reload. I am not recommending anyone do this themselves but I’ve found the easiest way for me to reload is to simply drop a BB down the barrel from the muzzle, then seat it into the empty cartridge by pressing the BB into position using the female end of a segment of brass cleaning rod. The .177 shot tube is recessed from the muzzle and this makes dropping a BB down the barrel very easy. There’s a definite tactile ‘detent’ that’s easily felt when seating the BBs into the cartridges. Reloading is done w/the cylinder closed and the safety ON (hammer and trigger are both locked). The cylinder will still rotate by hand in its normal direction of rotation w/the safety on. It’s faster than removing/loading/replacing the shells individually every six shots, and it’s for sure cheaper than buying extra shells ($2.00 - $2.50/ea.) and a speedloader.



The gun has some neat details like the end of the barrel that supports the .177 barrel has faux rifling cut into the metal. Measures 0.410", might should have called it a .41 mag...

cobalt327 said:

It's all metal and is now marked $80.00. I read on one of the forums- maybe here- that WM was blowing them out for $19.00. Missed the deal the first time but darned if it wasn't advertised again about 10 days later. Screaming deal, IMO- heck, a set of 6 cartridges cost over half what the entire gun with cartridges costs!


I found the most annoying part of using this otherwise quite fun revolver is loading it. Some versions come w/a plastic speedloader that I’m sure would help, providing extra cartridges were on hand. But I came up w/another way to reload. I am not recommending anyone do this themselves but I’ve found the easiest way for me to reload is to simply drop a BB down the barrel from the muzzle, then seat it into the empty cartridge by pressing the BB into position using the female end of a segment of brass cleaning rod. The .177 shot tube is recessed from the muzzle and this makes dropping a BB down the barrel very easy. There’s a definite tactile ‘detent’ that’s easily felt when seating the BBs into the cartridges. Reloading is done w/the cylinder closed and the safety ON (hammer and trigger are both locked). The cylinder will still rotate by hand in its normal direction of rotation w/the safety on. It’s faster than removing/loading/replacing the shells individually every six shots, and it’s for sure cheaper than buying extra shells ($2.00 - $2.50/ea.) and a speedloader.

View attachment 777081

The gun has some neat details like the end of the barrel that supports the .177 barrel has faux rifling cut into the metal. Measures 0.410", might should have called it a .41 mag...

View attachment 777082

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You got a heck of a deal, Cobalt. I paid $80 which means I only have to pay 1/8th as much for cartridges than price of gun. I don't mind the reloading. Not much different than my revolvers and it slows my shooting down some. I blow through a 18-20 round semi auto mag PDQ. You should be able to shoot pellets through your gun if you get the pellet cartridges which you can load in the gun. My SNR is "dual ammo" and is also smooth barreled, identacle to SR except for barrel length.They snap into the back end of cartridge and can be loaded while in cylinder. If I ever saw your gun at WM for $19 I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Yeah, the pellet cartridges that fit this gun is: https://www.amazon.com/Revolver-Cartridges-Bear-River-Exterminator/dp/B01M6DI8MK . I've found choosing the right cartridge for these guns can be a bit confusing, seeing as how they're not all compatible with one another.

cobalt327 said:

Yeah, the pellet cartridges that fit this gun is: https://www.amazon.com/Revolver-Cartridges-Bear-River-Exterminator/dp/B01M6DI8MK . I've found choosing the right cartridge for these guns can be a bit confusing, seeing as how they're not all compatible with one another.

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Since those fit my SNR they must fit the SR. I'll try them today in the SR. I've been shooting the new SR with BBs at @44ft with surprising accuracy for a BB hand gun It's easy to hit small soup cans consistantly going through one side at that distance.

Picked up one of the Umarex Peacemakers this morning from the Cabela's bargain cave for $39.99. Can't wait to get the chance to try it out after work today.....

My best season shooting Bullseye matches with "real" guns came after a winter shooting postal matches with air pistols. The skills are surely transferable.
Note...a minor detail: about barrel length and velocity in air pistols. A pellet fired from an air pistol is at max velocity as soon as the trigger is pulled. After that, it is slowing down due to drag from rifling and dropping air pressure as the volume of space in the barrel increases.

Pete D. said:

My best season shooting Bullseye matches with "real" guns came after a winter shooting postal matches with air pistols. The skills are surely transferable.
Note...a minor detail: about barrel length and velocity in air pistols. A pellet fired from an air pistol is at max velocity as soon as the trigger is pulled. After that, it is slowing down due to drag from rifling and dropping air pressure as the volume of space in the barrel increases.

Click to expand...

My first trip to the range shooting my "real" 357 revolver after a winter of shooting metal air revolvers,I did shoot much better than usual especially for the first 50 rounds. After that some of my bad habits(flinching, lack of follow through, jerking trigger) started creeping in again but I was able to recognize the problems. I'm sure the practice I've gotten with the air hand guns has helped me and carried over to real firearms. It's probably helped me more than it would a more experienced shooter since I just started shooting handguns about two years ago. I'm happy to get confirmation from an experienced competitive shooter like yourself that the skills are transferable.

Good evening,
Thanks for setting matters straight on beginning airgun velocity, Mr. Pete.. I do think that if you lose all of the CO2 propellant at two inches with a snubbie type pistol, the pellet or shot will travel less of a distance with less accuracy than it would in a longer barrel. I am also thinking that the projectile spends such a fraction of a moment within any handgun type length of barrel that accumulated friction has much less of an effect than the propellant being instantly lost to outside of the barrel volume of space at 2 inches versus 6 or 7.5 inches. Airguns should have the same set of physics apply as gunpowder weapons. Bullets fired from a conventional pistol start out at the same velocity just like projectiles from an airgun. Gunpowder gases expand in the barrel the same way that CO2 going from a liquid to a gas upon release do. Velocity and rate of expansion are different, of course. Unburned gunpowder in a short barreled powder weapon is the same as wasted CO2 in a short barreled airgun weapon. I have no experience with spring compressed airguns and so must stand aside at this point.. I will gladly stand corrected here on all points I have made if wrong.
regards!

EDIT: Having made such lofty statements, I thought it might behoove me to doublecheck ( I wanted to have ketchup ready in case I had to eat my words )
It turns out that I was wrong on longer barrel airguns being more accurate but
right on them having more velocity than shorter barreled airguns. The following is a write up on this subject by B.B. Pelletier, a well known and widely accepted fellow when it comes to airguns and what they will or will not do.
https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2005/04/is-airgun-barrel-length-important/