Most Accurate Air Pistol Under $500

[Jeb Stuart]

If you could track down a used FWB m.65...and found one on the cheap...you'd have a winner.
Failing that, take a look at the Air Venturi v10 Match air pistol.
https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Daisy_Match_Grade_Avanti_747_Triumph_Match/308

Actually if you can find a Baikal 46m, you will have a notoriously almost Olympic shooter. That said, as a air gunner enthusiast, I can't believe I have not picked up a Avanti 747. And I understand they are so very quiet. They have been a round for a long time.
Also, WANT A REAL SUPER DEAL? Here is a Chines Clone of the Famous Beeman P3 for around $29.00. Probably one of the best values around. Many thumbs up for this gun, which also has a great reputation for durability. It is called the Beeman P17. A lot of articles on this remarkable gun.
Beeman sells as the P3.
www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Beeman_P17/614

www.pyramydair.com/blog/2006/2/marksman-2004-single-stroke-pistol/

 

[Pete D.]

I have two Beeman P17s. Yep...a good buy. I have a Baikal 46m. It is the backup to a FWB match gun. The problem with the Beemans and the Baikals (i like them both) is that you have to cock them for each shot. In a match, that is 60 cocks and no help for accuracy. The Beeman is a very hard cocking gun but not of the same quality as the Baikal.

 

[springer99]

I know you said NEW, accurate air pistol, but look around for an FWB 65. Spring powered, recoil dampened operation that won't take an "accuracy" backseat to almost anything out there for twice the price.

 

[mdauben]

I've had a Daisy 747 for years before I sold it. Yes, it was cheaply made, but it shot extremely well.

Another vote for the Daisy (Avanti) 747 pistol. I find it a great gun for at-home target practice. I think they are going for around $220 these days. I bought one over 30 years ago and with minor maintenance its still going strong.

 

[Pete D.]

I was looking back through this thread and found this observation about grouping:

cursory search shows groups of a dime or so at 10 meters with pellets it likes, benched. That sounds more than good enough for this old cow poke

Yep. Good enough for plinking. For competition, not so much. Air pistol match shooting is a game of tens. If you are not shooting LOTS of 10s, then you are an also ran. Dime sized groups are way larger than the ten ring.
A high end target pistol will be .177 cal and will come with a test target that shows a single hole precisely in the middle of a match target. Five pellets will have passed through that hole.