Thoughts on a target pistol...

[Powderman]

Well, I'm back from Camp Perry. I went to shoot in the Nationals--and I am VERY upset, to say the least.

My scores exactly reflected my levels of preparedness--with all the OT I had to pull from August to April, it was kinda low, as you might expect.

Thus, I got mad--and now, I'm seriously out to kick some butt. I fully intend to win my class--at the very least--the next time I go. I also will make the President's Hundred--and hopefully will be DX , or DM before I go.

So, here's the question...

Anyone with experience with the Hammerli 280 pistol? Thoughts? Impressions? I handled one for the first time, and was very impressed with its feel--it seemed to weld itself into an optimum position, and the sight picture was rock steady and clean. The trigger pull was silky-smooth. I'm on the brink of getting one at a REALLY good price.

 

[cdrt]

Yep, Perry and the wind got to all of us....even Zins dropped a few points in the .22 match.

Hammerli makes a great pistol. When I first started shooting Bullseye back in the '70's, there were lots of guys using them, but of course, they were a little more affordable back then.

I guess the question is, what are you using now and what's wrong with it?

 

[Powderman]

Right now, I'm shooting a Marvel Unit 1 on an AMT lower. It was the reason behind a really terrible start in the prelims--it went full auto!!

I declared it disabled, put it away, and took out my Buckmark. I then cleared it as they were calling the line safe to change targets. I placed it on the bench--but did NOT lock the breech open.

Result? When I returned to my position, I was greeted by two friendly referees, who informed me that because of my GROSS safety breach, I would LOSE the ENTIRE .22 score for the preliminary match.

I had the Marvel fixed by the guys on Commercial Row--the younger gunsmith in the Marvel building installed new lockwork, cut the sear and hammer on an angle to compensate for the off-plumb sear and hammer pin holes, installed a machined bar-stock hammer, and gave it an excellent roll trigger, right at 2.75 lb.

Meanwhile, I handled a Hammerli in the RoCo building--the thing just seemed to melt into my hand--I was able to hold on an aiming point, rock steady, for 8 full seconds before the pistol even started to wobble.

Thus, the Marvel is going to a back up spot, replacing the Buckmark--and the Hammerli will be the primary gun.

 

[bdutton]

The 280 is not a very popular gun.

Your marvel will win matches. It will help you learn the .45 too. Stick with it. I intend to switch to a marvel with a dedicated 1911 lower at some point and use my Pardini as a backup gun.

If you can find one you might want to get a Hammerli 208s. It has a more upright hold similar to a 1911. It's also widely used by most champion shooters.

The FWB AW93 is becoming the Marine teams standard. The marines have a new dot scope mount that sits low on the frame. The existing scope mount that si being sold to new buyers sits way too high (or so I've been told).

Brian Zins is not a fan of the new AW93 at the long line either.

Also, just because you did poorly at Perry is not necessarily a bad thing. Most people do poorly at Perry the first time out. As an expert I failed to break 2500 my first year. The following year, I placed 2nd and 8th the year after. Now I'm a master and am just managing middle of the pack. I shot a 2513 this year.

 

[Justin]

I've put a couple of magazines through a 280. I liked the fiber-optic front sight on it, but I had a hard time keeping decent groups with it.

Consider looking at the new Walther GSP, or if you can swing the cost, the Feinwerkbau AW 93. I had the good fortune to borrow an AW 93 for a week, and was extremely impressed with the gun.

However, the best advice when it comes to high-end target pistols is to just find as many of them as you can, and shoot them to see which one you like the best.

I know more than a few shooters who are still running the old Hammerli 208's, and absolutely swear by them as the best .22.

 

[bdutton]

However, the best advice when it comes to high-end target pistols is to just find as many of them as you can, and shoot them to see which one you like the best.

+1 Ditto

 

[Kuglespritz]

I willl be shooting in the highpower matches at CP and may soon start shooting in the pistol matches. How popular are the S&W 41's? Do many shooters use them at Camp Perry?

 

[cdrt]

I was a little busy running between the 25 and 50 yard line benches at Perry to check out what other guys were shooting, but some still use the 41 Smith at the ranges I shoot at here in Texas. You'll see just about everything from Marvel conversions to High Standards and that Russian .22.

The 41 Smith is still a good pistol and the price is comparable to the others. Always a good choice, even though I've heard some guys complain it won't shoot certain types of ammo, but I have that problem with my HS Victor. It does not like CCI std velocity stuff, so I shoot either Aguila or Federal out of it.

 

[Justin]

The Model 41's are good pistols and don't require nearly as much modification as the Rugers to get them competition ready. All you should need is a set of ergonomic grips from Nil, etc.

That said, most of the Master-class shooters I know are running a Eurogun of one flavor or another. The Pardini's seem to be the most popular choice at the moment.

I run a GSP.

 

[PMK]

I like the aw 93

I bought the aw 93 and love it. Trigger is amazing and it shoots cci SV in less than an inch hole at 50 yards. So a great gun that shoots cheap ammo and with 6 sepperate adjustments you can make on the trigger. Its a sweet gun, try one out.