Anyone have a Benjamin Sheridan air pistol?

[redneck]

I'm thinking about buying an HB22 or HB17 for a plinker. These look like a good value to me. Better quality, and higher powered than your cheap plastic guns, but still not too expensive compared to some stuff out there

Not sure I'll be able to handle one before I buy it so I thought I'd throw this out there and make sure there aren't any hang ups I should know about like bad triggers, or awkward grips. If you have one (or handled one) do you like it?

Any input on which caliber to get? The .22 is listed at 460fps, the .177 at 520. Doesn't seem like one is going to be much flatter shooting than the other at handgun ranges, and the price difference on ammo isn't too bad. Looks like the .22 has a bit more energy which might be good for reactive targets. Don't really plan on any hunting with them, othe than maybe an unlucky sparrow at the barn.

Thanks for any input

 

[JohnKSa]

Decent quality--definitely worth the money.

Triggers are pretty tough, but they can be worked on a bit. They're also a bit hard to pump due to their small size.

 

[redneck]

Thanks John
Tried to handle one on the way home from work today, but got tired of waiting on someone at the counter after about 15 minutes and left :banghead: To the guys credit, he was trying to complete a sale for someone else, but they should have gotten someone else back there to help out.
Anyhow, by the looks of them, they are kind of big to be very good practice for general handgun shooting. Really wanted to see how the balance was, but from the looks I might just try to save a little more money and get a Beeman P3. Gas going to $3+ a gallon isn't gonna help though

 

[JohnKSa]

The P3 is a great plinker/informal target pistol, and if all you intend to hunt is sparrows at close range it will do that too.

Overall, as long as power isn't your main concern, I think you'll be much happier with the P3. It's really in a different class than the Benjamin/Sheridan products.

 

[redneck]

Thanks for the info, I think I'm gonna hold out for a P3, or the german equivalent of it. With the low power, I might even set up a range in the basement this winter

 

[redneck]

Appreciate the advice John
I went ahead and bought an HW 40 PCA, the german version of the P3. Got it today and shot it a little bit.
Trigger is unbeleivably light. First time I shot it, it took me by surprise, was waiting on the take up to stop and it went off (while pointed at my target)
Has a great feel, balance, and the sights are a good compromise between combat sights and really fine target sights. Ought to be perfect practice for my other pistols.
For some reason I was a little shaky today, but I did manage to get one five shot group offhand from ten steps/yards that was under an inch. Would have been half an inch but for one flyer.
Only complaint is it a little on the tough side to get those darn little pellets into that darn little openeing. I've got fairly big hands and have trouble getting my fingers in there to get the pellet started in the barrel. Its a minor issue though and I'm sure it will get easier with practice.

I'd definitely recommend this gun to anyone looking for a good practice peice/informal plinker

 

[slopemeno]

Let me throw in a suggestion for a Webley Hurricane or Tempest. Once you master the recoil/two way snap, you'll enjoy a gun that will last for years, require only one quick loading stroke, and is fairly quiet.
Ive probably shot mine, uh, 70 thousand times? Alarming, I know. It wasnt unusual in my youth to take it camping and while I might empty a tin of pellets, my friends would borrow it for hours and empty another tin or two. I would spend an hour every night while I was into action shooting punching holes in 3X5 cards in my garage to practice my trigger break and sight alignment.
Its a little tired now, and its down on power for sure. I need to pick up a spring and seal some day and get it back to its former power level. Best $160 I ever spent.

 

[JohnKSa]

Only complaint is it a little on the tough side to get those darn little pellets into that darn little openeing.

Don't have a good solution for that one. Glad you like your new toy. I've never heard of an unsatisfied P3 owner!

 

[redneck]

I'm gettin a little better at dropping them in there. Still have to turn the gun over and shake a dropped pellet out of the innards once in awhile
The more I shoot it, the more I like it. Very accurate gun, and very easy to shoot. Haven't tried anymore groups, but had it out walking the pasture yesterday looking for a lost arrow, and was knocking the tops off weeds and clover from 10 yards and farther. If only I could shoot my other pistols that well :banghead: