Three Pellet Pistols

[jcwit]

As some here who follow this forum know I've recently acquired 3 new pellet pistols, a Beeman P 17, Beeman P 3, and a Webley Alecto. All three are fantastic shooters, better than I am to say the least.

The P17 is a licensed copy of the P3 and for the sum of $30/$40 dollars is a great buy. Slightly hard to load but once one gets the hang of it, it ceases to be a problem. Some claim it's hard to charge the air chamber or pump, I'm clearly able to handle it and I'm 71 and disabled.

All in all, I'd give it a solid 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.

The P3 is the German version and it's clearly visible why it costs well over $200.00. Accuracy wise it also is slightly better, very slightly. Fit & finish are of course better. Loading & pumping are the same as the P17.

P3 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10

Now the Webley Alecto, its a large piece but because of balance and light weight doesn't seem so. Accuracy is on a par of either of the Beeman's. Trigger takes some getting used to, but with most things in life once its learned it is a non issue.

Alecto gets a 9 on the scale.

Which one do I like the most, can't say, I like all three.

If you notice I gave none of them a 10, man makes nothing perfect!

 

[jcwit]

BTW, yesterday I saw Midway USA had refurbished Ruger Air Hawks available for the grand sum of $49.00.

OK, Take a wild guess what's on the way, supposed to arrive before the end of the week.

 

[GLOOB]

Haha, I saw that. But I actually had that tactical-looking Crosman breakbarrel in my cart for the same price, because it came with a scope and rings, along with a 24.99 refurbished Umarex APX NXG. But before I checked out, I came to my senses.

I'm still sorely tempted to get an APX NXG. One of the reviewers chronied his at 600 fps with only 4 pumps. I have already spent $95 total on my 1377 to turn it into one heck of an ugly and awkward-to-hold carbine with much less power. That was just for the gun, plastic shoulder stock (that sucks, IMO), and the mount.

 

[GLOOB]

The APX NXG refurb costs less than an extended barrel for my Crosman, and is actually about the same cost as just the shoulder stock (with the inadequate "chin" comb). Four pumps is about my limit for plinking before I feel like it gets repetitive. And 600 fps out of a long rifle barrel shouldn't be very loud. I would still rather have a rifled 760 for nostalgia's sake, but the Umarex is available and dirt cheap. I just wonder why they have so many refurbs. Midway has had those on sale for several months, now.

 

[jcwit]

I bought one of the APX NXG's a week ago from WalMart.

Played around with it for 2 evenings and took it back. Way to light and hard to hold steady IMO. Seems more like a toy gun to me than anything else.

I'm more into rifles that have some meat to them whether they be .22's, centerfire, or pellet guns. I'm used to air rifles more like the R1 and/or R7, this Air Hawk is in the same category.

Bout as light as I like to go in centerfire is a Winchester 94.
In a .22RF is a Henery Lever Action.
In a Pellet gun is a Benjamin pump.

 

[GLOOB]

Almost all my guns are toys to me. Real powder burners included. The only difference is "pointing the gun in a safe direction" and "being sure of your backstop" is lot easier to do with the air guns.

I like "too light." In a pneumatic, anyway. My 1377 carbine, awkward as it feels, is a little easier to hold steady than either of my springers, especially unsupported. It helps that all the weight is out front, including the pistol scope I have up at the muzzle.

I have a feeling that whenever I find a piece of steel pipe with a 0.630" ID, my Ruger springer is going to gain some significant accuracy.

 

[jcwit]

To each his own.

Try shooting bench rest or small bore competition or 3 position with a light weight 1022. LOL

Most anything else is just plinking.

Accuracy costs money, and that is a fact! I have friends that shoot air pistol competition with $2000 dollar guns.

Bench rest group here guns and outfits are running around $5 grand.

Now then back to my cheap pistols..................................................

 

[GLOOB]

No, I am not into competition. And I hardly ever shoot off a bench. For me, I'm almost more interested with the accuracy of the gun than me, as the shooter. When I have a gun shooting straight, I tend to shoot it a lot less. I guess I'm more of a Q than a Bond.

Besides the weight and balance and the horrible esthetics, anything particularly bad about that Umarex?

 

[jcwit]

I'm almost more interested with the accuracy of the gun than me, as the shooter.

Then you need one of these.

http://www.championshooters.com/ind...category&virtuemart_category_id=43&Itemid=111

Go ahead a click on it, it won't bite.

 

[cslinger]

Those guns are all mechanically astoundingly accurate but the skill needed to consistently 1 hole at 10m is mind boggling. I have seen shooters upset because of their poor shooting and all I see is 1 hole but apparently that 1 hole was much too large. 10m rifle and pistol is no joke as far as skill even with 3 to 4 grand in gear.

 

[jcwit]

True words for sure!

 

[GLOOB]

Yeah, I guess I could buy one of those, verify that it shoots 1-hole groups, and then put it up in the rack. But someone who's working on their shooting skill is going to get more out of a gun like that.

My Ruger Explorer was the most fun I had with a gun in a long time, and it was the least accurate gun I have ever shot. I guess now that it's shooting straight I'm looking for a new project, not a $3,500 one-holer out of the box.

 

[cslinger]

If by verify you mean at 10 feet........ In a vice........ Without any coffee. Heck I could verify.

 

[GLOOB]

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant, with a vice... but with plenty of coffee.

 

[MedWheeler]

GLOOB writes:

When I have a gun shooting straight, I tend to shoot it a lot less.

I'm the same way. For example, I enjoy shooting my Phoenix HP22A way more than my Ruger Mk-II because the latter is "too easy."

 

[jcwit]

Well this sure went way off from my reviews of the three air pistols I bought.

But hey, the NRA National Small Bore Matches are being held 5 miles from my front door in a couple of weeks. Some fantastic arms there and shooters as well, from all over the world. Even a few Olympic shooters as well.

Two years ago I checked out a rifle one of the shooters had imported, claimed he had 10 grand in before having it stocked and sights put on it. To say the least is was a work of art. Have no idea how it shot.

This last weekend I checked score cards, there was 1 saw that was perfect. 45 cal. bullseye, 50 yards 100 10X.

YUP, that easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL

 

[jcwit]

I'm the same way. For example, I enjoy shooting my Phoenix HP22A way more than my Ruger Mk-II because the latter is "too easy."

Get a .22 Raven and put some real skill into it. Remember, 25 and 50 yards only.

 

[cslinger]

Sorry. It's just every time I see those things I think about picking up a "lower end" match grade PCP rifle or pistol but then it occurs to me besides the pita of charging them up it would be a little bit like a drunken redneck playing the fiddle around the campfire with a Stradivarius.

No disrespect to drunken redneck fiddle players meant.

 

[MedWheeler]

JCwit writes:

Get a .22 Raven and put some real skill into it. Remember, 25 and 50 yards only.

I don't think Raven ever made a gun in .22 under that name, but Jennings did, and I've had one since 1987. It's also a fun little shooter due to the challenges involved. Maybe I'll break it out again soon.. the trigger will make the Phoenix feel like the Ruger.

Back to the OP, I've actually been muddling the P17 for a bit now. But, I got two new CO2 guns last year, and haven't spent much time with them yet (Crosman 1077 and Gamo PT-85.) Once I know I'll get around to trigger time with them, I'll likely want more..

 

[jcwit]

I don't think Raven ever made a gun in .22 under that name, but Jennings did, and I've had one since 1987. It's also a fun little shooter due to the challenges involved.

I suppose you could say technically you are correct, but then they were made in the same factories by the same people. Name sold out more than a few times because of law suits. Know all about them, I own one of each along with the HP-22A by Phoenix, the one I have is the one that is called the Range Kit Deluxe with both barrels.

Last the Jennings/Raven were made was by Bryco, which I believe is no longer in business. Good Luck, don't break it.

Back to the OP, I've actually been muddling the P17 for a bit now.

mud•dle
(ˈmʌd l)

v. -dled, -dling,
n. v.t.
1. to mix up in a confused or bungling manner.

2. to cause to become mentally confused.

3. to cause to become confused or stupid with or as if with liquor.

4. to make muddy or turbid, as water.

5. to mix or stir (a drink).
v.i.
6. to think or act in a confused or aimless fashion: muddling along, waiting for a big break.

7. muddle through, to make progress or reach a goal despite lack of knowledge, skill, or direction.
n.
8. the state of being muddled, esp. a confused mental state.

9. a confused or disordered state of affairs; mess.

(say what)


Make note also, it's jcwit not JCwit.