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wadcutter · Suspended

Do you guys like air pistols?

I've been thinking about ordering the Browning 800 Express air pistol in .22 cal.

From the technical descriptions and reviews, it's a big, heavy, powerful break-barrel gun that even comes with a slip-on barrel extension to be used for cocking.

You'll see it on page 46 of the latest PA catalog. (Volume 6)

That's it...
WADCUTTER

toadmyster223 · Senior Member

I bought a Ruger Mark one time... I was really confident in it, but it turned out not to shoot well at all... and before it "broke in," a big chunk of plastic jumped off the breech and messed up the seal. I was pretty disappointed. If I ever try another pistol, it's going to be pneumatic.

robert w · Senior Member

Beeman p 17 , remove the piston n smooth up the air intake hole, remove the barrel, clean it n polish the breech end up n you got a fine accurate pneumatic for just under $40.410 fps.I cronied mine and its makin 401 fps darn close to manufacturers specs.lots of positive reviews on them , I'd say 20 + to 1- review.its a best buy and did I say accurate? It is with a nice trigger too.had a benjamin nitro pistol, lasted all of 2 days n couldnt hit the broad side of a barn

AirGunEric · Site Admin

No break-barrel "pistol" is much of a pistol- the mechanics make them quite heavy and the "cocking aid" is more of a necessity than an "aid".

Unless you have tried one, I wouldn't suggest buying any break-barrel pistol or you may very well not be happy with what you get.

AgentWD40_FL · Member

I have a Hatsan MOD25 Supercharger .177 (Spring) .....

The CONS:
It's heavy
It eats scopes ... It's destroyed 3 of 'em.
Better eat your wheaties to cock it.

The PROS:
Very nice screw-on cocking aid. Cosmetically very pleasing. Screw it on/Leave it on.
Great Quatro 2-stage trigger
Great TruGlow sights
Extremely accurate and hits hard
Not pellet picky if using a 7.0gr pellet. Maybe the RWS R-10 Match has an advantage

*** Once I got past that this gun wasn't going to tolerate a scope mounted to it ... I've been loving it. I really enjoy shooting it.

AgentWD40_FL · Member

Alittle more info on the scope problems.

The BSA "Edge" scope (in pic) lasted the longest +/- 100shots. Then I tried the "torture-tested magnum springer" CenterPoint from PA. 50 shots. Figured maybe I had a fluke and returned it for another from PA. 50 shots again. ----> Refund time.

Normally I dont like open sights, but the TruGlow on this Hatsan is outstanding, especially outside. The sights also hold their setting perfectly, and the elevation adjust on the front sight is a bonus for sighting in.

Like I said, now that I'm past the scope issues ... the pistol is a consistently a joy to shoot. And I stole it for 85.00 at MidwayUSA ..... great deal.

I've got a Prochrono coming for Christmas ..... this is one of the guns I'm excited to test to see where its at.

Highly recommend ......

wadcutter · Suspended

My Friends,

Of the six spring-piston air pistols listed in the PA catalog, I like the Browning 800 Express the best.

It's Big, Heavy, Powerful, Hard to Cock, and I'll order it in .22 caliber for Plinking.

I'll use the factory open sights...no scope or red-dot.

One reviewer claims that it's the most powerful non-PCP air pistol available today.

Regardless of its shortcomings, if I get an air pistol, this will be the one!

Thank you for your replies...

WADCUTTER

Robw · Veteran Member

I just bought a 1322 and am enjoying it greatly.

wadcutter · Suspended

I'm glad you're enjoying your Crosman 1322!

I won't buy one because it's a multi-pumper, wiith a max velocity of only 460 FPS, it weighs only 2 pounds, and it isn't available in .22 caliber.

(I sure like that golden bolt handle, though!)
WADCUTTER HAL

Robw · Veteran Member

Yeah, they are kind of cheesy in a few areas.
I plan on adding a fat top piston and modified compression chamber and
valves and an 18" barrel along with a few other goodies.

I have already installed a two stage trigger in it as the original one
was a pretty creepy and rough single stage.

I should have a very accurate 700-800 fps, user powered pistol when I am
done.

Part of the fun for me is building/experimenting with it.

wadcutter · Suspended

HEY ROBW,

I appreciate guys who always try to improve on Factory offerings!

I've done that with practically all of my astronomical telescopes.

Wadcutter Hal

Robw · Veteran Member

Wow! Is that yours?

wadcutter · Suspended

Yes, ROBW, that was my 17.5" Discovery Dobsonian Reflector.

It had a 17.5" primary mirror, and weighed 195 pounds.

My largest was this 20" Obsession truss-tube Dobsonian, in which I had $7200 invested.

Since retiring in 1998, I've owned 30 Astronomical-grade telescopes, with nearly $30,000 invested.

I presently own a fully computerized 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain scope.

WADCUTTER

Robw · Veteran Member

Amaizing.

Slavia · Moderator

Springer pistols have never really attracted me because of the vibration and the cocking effort. I own a 2240, a 1377, a P17, plus a couple of BB pistols. I would consider myself a springer guy with long arms, but not so with pistols. The P17 (actually the older Marksman 2004 version) is the one I take travelling.

I have two department store refractors with alt/az mounts, but I haven't used them in years. Tracking things is just too frustrating. I always knew cognitively that the earth is spinning, but I didn't "feel" it until I tried keeping up with those sparkly things out there. Then one night I ran into a guy with a reflector on a motorized, computerized polar mount. The difference was astounding. Very cool.

The one problem I have with them fancy telescope things is that the girl down the street is always upside down.