Anyone practice with Airsoft pistols?

[tluxtele]

I've thought about getting an airsoft pistol. I've heard they can be helpful to work on target practice when you can't get to the range. I also thought it could be fun with my girls in the backyard. I have a sw40ve. I know there's not an airsoft for that model. It's a copy of a Glock so I could go that route or maybe an M&P 40.

The main thing is I think it could be fun with my girls. The thing that would put it over the top is if it'd actually be helpful to me with target practice.

 

[tomrkba]

Yes, but I use it for practicing shooting on the move.

Use heavier black pellets. You can see the white ones and "walk" the shots into the target.

 

[Gato Montés]

You know, I was thinking the same thing today as well. I stopped by the local Farm and Fleet to see what they had by the way of ammo and saw a couple handguns, a 1911 and a Walther P99 specifically, that looked like they could be pretty fun. I'm just not sure they're fun enough for the near 100 dollars they were asking.

 

[MedWheeler]

I bought a cheapo one with metal construction a couple of months ago at a gun show. I don't play with it much, but it was purchased with the idea of using it as a teaching aid with my four-year old daughter. We've messed around with it a few times, but have gotten too sidetracked as of late. Need to break it out again. I did catch myself thinking a better one, more suited for me, might be cool, but I'd probably go the route of a rifled-bore pellet gun instead (I already own a couple, but none that handle like a "service" pistol.)

 

[Geno]

I used to, a lot! It is excellent practice, and there are many options. You didn't hear it from me, but some people practice force-on-force with these, wearing proper gear of course. Ahhh. They sting, a lot!

Geno

 

[welshdude]

My bicycle 'dog gone' is a 485 fps Crosman C31 CO2 pistol in a holster. Bigger, but shaped like a 1911. 18 shot magazine. It's kept on the steering tube w/an airhorn in an old school cell phone holster strapped to the other side of the steering tube as well. Each situation requires a quick decision as to which form of deterrence is best, but if I get surprised from behind or see that an attack is inevitable it's always the pistol. Dogs need to be trained several times w/t airhorn, but once w/t pistol is enough. Have only had one owner make a fuss and as I've got the Sheriff's Dept. on speed dial that was a pretty short lived conversation. Another dog owner saw me shoot his dog and said, "That'll learn 'im!" Appreciated the sentiment and support. It doesn't hurt them, but the report of the CO2 pistol and the sting of the BB are enough to have them leave me alone next time they see me.

I'd do more target shooting with it except it has virtually no recoil. So, it doesn't approximate my bicycle CC experience closely enough. But, they are fun to shoot just to shoot and are alot cheaper than a CC piece in this hysterical market.

 

[rugerdude]

I very much appreciate the "non-lethal first" attitude towards canines. Yes, sometimes the owner is at fault for letting them off the leash and whatnot, but especially in rural areas, family pets are killed outright when perhaps a non-lethal alternative would have been better. Not to criticize those who need to defend livestock certainly they have that right, however, if possible it would be wonderful if Fido could be spared and learn his lesson too.

 

[Blackstone]

I practice with an air pistol when I'm away from my handgun.

 

[Jraz]

I am using a KWA ATP (Adaptive Training Pistol) and a KWA KM4-SR7 during these lean ammo times to keep up my skills. They don't annoy my neighbors and are really cheap to shoot (use propane for the ATP). These are not cheap guns but do replicate the Glock and M4 respectfully.

 

[SleazyRider]

My bicycle 'dog gone' is a 485 fps Crosman C31 CO2 pistol in a holster. Bigger, but shaped like a 1911. 18 shot magazine. It's kept on the steering tube w/an airhorn in an old school cell phone holster strapped to the other side of the steering tube as well. Each situation requires a quick decision as to which form of deterrence is best, but if I get surprised from behind or see that an attack is inevitable it's always the pistol. Dogs need to be trained several times w/t airhorn, but once w/t pistol is enough. Have only had one owner make a fuss and as I've got the Sheriff's Dept. on speed dial that was a pretty short lived conversation. Another dog owner saw me shoot his dog and said, "That'll learn 'im!" Appreciated the sentiment and support. It doesn't hurt them, but the report of the CO2 pistol and the sting of the BB are enough to have them leave me alone next time they see me.

I'd do more target shooting with it except it has virtually no recoil. So, it doesn't approximate my bicycle CC experience closely enough. But, they are fun to shoot just to shoot and are alot cheaper than a CC piece in this hysterical market.

I am curious about something. If the CO2 pistol is used in this context, is it considered a firearm, and if so, is this a legal means of carry?

Also, does anybody know of an airsoft 1911 that has the same manual of arms as a real 1911; that is, grip safety, thumb safety, weight and dimensions?

 

[WALKERs210]

Many have said that using the Airsoft type pistols don't give a realistic feel on the trigger. I have had a few that use CO2, one in particular is an exact copy of H&K USP. I have laid it side by side with the "Real" gun and other than a color difference in a few places and the red tip on barrel it was exactly the same.

does anybody know of an airsoft 1911 that has the same manual of arms as a real 1911; that is, grip safety, thumb safety, weight and dimensions

Another company sells a copy of the 1911, CO2 powered with functional slide, the only problem with the 1911 copy is an issue with the seals. I did have one that lasted almost one year and I attempted to repair which led to trashing it. I used the H&K to teach my wife how to handle a handgun, and how to place shots without taking 30 min trying to sight in on target. In other words some of them work great and at a low enough price that if it craps out after a few months you have not lost a ton of money, and unless you hit a hard object the 6mm pellets are re-useable.

 

[Blackstone]

Here in the UK, action air shooting is quite popular, and there are a number of match grade custom pellet guns you can buy. They're surprisingly close in feel to the real equivalent, except for the recoil of course.

 

[Kiln]

I used to, a lot! It is excellent practice, and there are many options. You didn't hear it from me, but some people practice force-on-force with these, wearing proper gear of course. Ahhh. They sting, a lot!

Geno

I know guardsmen that do this. It is a useful tool but don't expect to get respect from gun guys for expensive airsoft toys. I wouldn't dump any real money into it but once again, for training purposes they can be good.

 

[Diamondback6]

Every morning. Not necessarily as marksmanship or training, just as a "focus" exercise to help me tee up to face the day.

Though I HAVE done a little force-on-force, and usung them to teach "administrative handling" and the Four Rules.

 

[Bikewer]

I bought a cheap manually-operated Glock model some years ago, thinking to use it for draw-and-point practice.
It's OK for that... But I hadn't known about "hop up" kits and such at the time and thus the thing is too inaccurate for any kind of more-precise shooting.

We recently did some tactical-training scenarios and the weapons issued were gas-powered airsoft "Glocks" and also "M4"s. These were quite a step up from my little cheapie.... Felt quite realistic and fired as fast as you could pull the trigger with a realistic gas-powered slide action.

These are considerably more expensive... Dunno if I want to part with the cash but I'm thinking about it.

 

[welshdude]

I am curious about something. If the CO2 pistol is used in this context, is it considered a firearm, and if so, is this a legal means of carry?

Also, does anybody know of an airsoft 1911 that has the same manual of arms as a real 1911; that is, grip safety, thumb safety, weight and dimensions?

What you woud need to seriously consider is a Crosman C31. They have a safety w/a color indicator should one want to know if the pistol's 'hot' or not. I use it all the time.

Not only is it legal in TN, once the canine in question hits the paved portion of the of the road surface one can deal with the threat as one sees fit. And up to and incuding lethal force should it be required. This is a state law, but certain counties have limitations on the power of the CO2s and have laws regarding the deliberate killing of a domestic animal w/possibe fines and/or jail time. The rifles reach amazing fps velocities.

I've had two pistols. Crosman C11 and a C31. The C31 is a bit bigger and more powerful of than the the C11. Kind of like the difference between between a high quality 1911 and a P11. They're not considered firearms and neither needs a permit. That being said they are both dead-on from about 30 ft. That's as much as I need for threats of the canine or varmit variety. I'm a little underpowered for the cro-magnon, should the need arise while cycling. But, my CC beats a sharp stick in the eye...

 

[billpocz]

I just recently got into the AirSoft world. I bought a Sig 228 from Airsplat.com and it is more fun than I ever expected.

For less than $100, it looks just like my real 228, the slide goes back with each shot, has a slide lock and a working decocker.

Here is what it looks like:






As for training, I am not so sure of how well it helps, but it is my belief that any shooting is better than none!

(And it is a hoot to shoot!)

 

[Bikewer]

Bill Jordan, writing in No Second Place Winner back in the 60s, said that he confined most of his practice to using wax bullets.

His thinking was that if you put the first one into the K-zone, the rest would likely go there too....
So, drawing from the holster (or wherever you carry) and firing a single round is pretty good training, even without the recoil and all.

 

[benzy2]

I've got a full metal 1911 that has the working grip safety. With the metal slide, its a bit of a gas hog, but that works well as when loaded with only 8 rounds its still plenty to get through the magazine. I think they are a useful tool in many respects. They aren't a substitute for recoil management nor for live fire training, but when added to that training it is a great aid. The trigger is close enough to be useful.

I know I can't get trigger time every day with a firearm. It just isn't a possibility, but I can certainly shoot an airsoft pistol/rifle everyday, even if only a couple magazines worth in some free time. Don't buy cheap. Buy quality. With a quality airsoft pistol comes the ability for quality training.

 

[wally]

If you can buy a realistic replica model of your carry pistol (won't be cheap), they are great for draw and point shooting practice. Beyond that I think they are just nice toys unless you get into force-on-force training scenarios.

 

[okiewita40]

Several years ago i bought a cheap airsoft gun. I used it for aiming and target practice and trigger control. After about 3 months of it. I had my annual weapons qual. Low and behold i got a perfect score.

I can recommend an airsoft for training. It sure helped me out. went from high 70's/low 80's to 100.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Some agencies are going to airsoft for training. Can't get real boolits anymore.