Air Gun Home :: View topic - Looking to pick up a pistol but dont know which one

kdoubt · Member

Hello all,

Im looking to pick up a pistol but Canadian Tire doesnt seem to have much of a selection. From what I've read you cant buy airguns over the net without a licence.

I really like the look of the Crossman 357 and it has some good reviews
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review214600.html

I also like the look of the Gamo PT-80 but its reviews arnt as good.

the only gun worth buying at CT looks like the Marksman Model 2004 but i've heard things about problems with the seals and whatnot. It also sells for over $100 in store vs $50 online.

Can anyone tell me where to buy? And what to buy?

I would just be doing target stuff, nothing competative.

Thanks!

notec · Member

You dont need any special permit to buy a gun on the net, unless you are under 18, or the gun is over 500fps.
http://www.dlairgun.com/products.htm
http://www.airgunsource.com/
http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/main
http://kandsairguns.tripod.com/index.html
http://store.airgunforum.ca/

These are a few canadian based sites........find the best deal for the dollar and your good to go.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

These guys, here:

Trail-Marker in Canada

are basically the Canadian representatives of Crosman, and sell all sorts of manufacturers rifles&pistols. The website even indicates which need a firearms license to buy. Just be sure the gun you're looking at is not an "airsoft" (as in low velocity with plastic 6mm BBs the only thing that will work with them).

You do not need a license to order one online- but if you buy one from outside Canada (i.e. from the U.S. or the U.K.) the seller has to provide all the appropriate documentation to you for Canada Customs to prove it would not be called a "firearm" under Canadian law. Plus- Canada has a law on "replica" guns- and which are/aren't allowed in are pretty much at the discretion of the particular Canada Customs person looking at it at any given moment- so it's much safer to buy from a vendor who's in Canada and will get you what you order.

For specifics on laws- check the links in the "Government Links" area of the board- there's one in there for Canada.

kdoubt · Member

cool, any suggestions on thoes models?

Click here

$65 not a bad price for that

Anyone know anything about this gun?

Redster · Member

Very heavy trigger pull, something like 9 pounds. Shooting it double-action will give you a cramp! Pulling back the hammer and shooting it single-action is okay.

Quality control leaves something to be desired. On several of the PT-80s I looked at in the store the two halves of the grip were not aligned, there was a stairstep effect on the grip beneath the trigger guard which was uncomfortable.

None of the dealers in my area had the Gamo laser sight for it. BSA makes the sight, which attaches to the gun via a two screws on the underside of the gun, just in front of the trigger guard. The gun does not have dovetail mounts so the Gamo/BSA sight is the only option. I ordered the sight online at gamousa.com, they put it on backorder and I did not get it for over two months. (Suggestion: if you want the laser sight, get it with the gun when you buy it.)

On the plus side, the PT-80 seems very accurate, even through the open sights. The Gamo/BSA laser sight works very well, and sighted in easier than some others I have had. (Note: the instructions for the laser sight are generic, and are meant to be followed for the sight when it is placed on top of a gun; since the sight is upside-down on the special Gamo hanger, reverse the clockwise/counterclockwise directions for adjusting the sight for windage and elevation.)

The gun looks very nice also, and I have not experienced the jamming which occurs with some other repeating pistols. When GamoUSA sent the laser sight, they thanked me for my patience and included a free, 500 count tin of Gamo Match pellets. A little while later they sent a 10% discount code for a future purchase online.

kdoubt · Member

So thats a vote for the PT-80

I really like the revolver style though. You say its not as accurate?

Redster · Member

I do not have any personal experience with the Crosman 3576W, although I have seen some pretty decent reviews.

http://www.airgunsmith.com/cgi-bin/air_pistol_review/reviews.pl?review=1025

The price is certainly right for the 3576W over the PT-80. The best price for the Gamo that I have seen has been $69 on sale over at my local Big 5 Sports. Seems like almost everybody has the Crosman for $49.95.

notec · Member

I have a 357 on its way to me as we speek. I like them......had one of the earlier models, and never really used the sights. More of a quick draw shooting for me. They are ballanced well......and have a good weight.
And if you have extra clips.....fire off a clip,drop in another and keep going.

kdoubt · Member

Ok, so if I go with the 357 where would be the best place to get it from? Cheap is good, and shipping less than $15 preferred

notec · Member

Well do you want new or used? If new........

This one

or this one

If you want used.......
http://kandsairguns.tripod.com/id16.html

kdoubt · Member

Thanks!

I think i'll be going with this one.

Click for Crosman 3576

My gf is buying me this for a valentines gift :D

Anyone have any objections? Is there something else I should be looking at?
I know what I want, i just dont know which one I need!

AirGunEric · Site Admin

If you want the Crosman 3576- get some extra pellet clips- easier to have them loaded and ready to go than have to stop shooting and re-load the one in the gun (Crosman part number is # 0407T for a kit of 3 clips).

Also- I might suggest you order the "single action" unit (it can be order as a single, or dual-action trigger)- will allow for more consistent accuracy when shooting.

And don't forget to buy some pellets and Co2 cartridges- nothing sucks more than having a new toy and not having the 'batteries' to go with it.

kdoubt · Member

This is true. Only thing i might keep stock tho is the single clip. If a co2 does about 50-60 shots, that way it will last longer :P

kdoubt · Member

I ended up getting the Crossman 2240 Air pistol. Love the bolt action. Cant wait to try it out.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

The 2240 is a very popular unit- and alot of people like to modify it. Congratulations- tell us what you think of it after trying it out for awhile.