Most Accurate Air Pistol Under $500

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I have both a .177 and a .22. The .177 is more accurate by virtue of the smaller pellet, smaller holes and higher velocity, but only in an academic way unless you really are a master shot imo.

Both have 2 power levels. I never shoot them on low. POI changes fairly considerably between the levels and I seem to attain easier accuracy on full power.

The .22 is easier to load by virtue of the bigger pellet.

The .177 is noticeably louder to my ear.

Both will diesel for a while when new even after lots of use but they sit for a long time without being shot.

Both require a light touch, hold. I use very little pinky and ring finger and my off hand is fairly light in hold.

I don’t find cocking effort onerous on either power level, but be aware there is effort to compress the spring.

The regular HW45/P1 can accept any 1911 grips. I have a set of G10 grips on my .22

The silver / Black Star versions that come with the nice target grips are locked into only using those IIRC. My silver star is however very comfortable and the grips look great.

These are plinkers. I don’t hunt or pest but if I did I wouldn’t use these, maybe the .177 for itty bitty stuff.

Those are pretty much my observations.
 
LOTS to chew on... man, this is hard!! :confused:

So for my uses, indoor 10m or less target shooting in the apartment, wonder which one?? :uhoh:

I wish I had enough money to buy both but I don't. Wonder if the HW75 would be TOO easy to shoot or something, that the HW45 would be more fun to work up to?? Would the HW45/P1 be too loud for indoor shooting?? Is the P1 a lot more durable??

My head is spinning and frankly right now I have more questions than I can shake a stick at. I am SORRY for asking so many. Please tell me to shut up if I'm being a nuisance!!
 
I think the HW45 will give you more versatility and more challenge/pride when you get it right. You also get to change grips if you desire to personalize etc. The biggest downside I see with the HW45/P1 is the noise signature, at least to my ears, is noticeably higher then a HW75/HW40/Chiappa FAS/IZH46 (low powered pneumatics). More so in .177 (but changing from .22 to .177 or back is just a barrel swap). They are NOWHERE NEAR as loud as a C02 pistol.

Since I think sound signature is probably going to be important in an apartment I did a little experiment, mostly because I have cold this week and I am bored.

All shots fired in a closed carpeted room.
I just fired a few shots from my .22 HW45 on low (I never use low) and compared it to the HW75.
The HW45 on low seems a bit louder but in a lower frequency (probably hearing more of the mechanics such as the piston moving/spring etc.)
The HW75 has a higher pitched quicker POP noise that is probably similar in pure decibels

Using a cheap IPHONE decibel meter placed a bit below and in front of the muzzles I get roughly.....
HW45 on low ---- 91-94DB
HW75 ---- 92DB
HW40 ---- 91.8DB (functionally identical to the HW75 hence they sound about the same)
FAS 6004 ---- 89.9-90DB

By far the most pleasant sound signature is the Chiappa FAS, it is also the slowest velocity so it should be. At any rate YMMV and none of this should be considered SCIENCE!!! more like hold my beer there has to be an app for that, but it should give you sort of a baseline. Most .22LR rifles are in the 140DB range un-suppressed, and remember DB's are logarithmic so even small changes in DB are noticeable. I will also say a .22 CB out of a rifle is noticeably quieter then an equivalent air rifle.

So anyhoo, hope this helps.

I apparently have entirely too much time on my hands. :D
 
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A HW30s(Beeman R7) rifle in .177 was 88-89.5 DB and they are known to be pretty quiet in the world of air rifles. Another point of reference. (DB meter app = new toy that must be played with :D)
 
cslinger said:
A HW30s(Beeman R7) rifle in .177 was 88-89.5 DB and they are known to be pretty quiet in the world of air rifles. Another point of reference. (DB meter app = new toy that must be played with :D)
Click to expand...

The R7 is a very quiet Air Rifle.However you want real quiet, get a Vortek Kit for the R7. Yes the Baikal 46 is hard to find, but the Avanti is quiet accurate and a real smooth shooter for a Pistol.
As far as rifles, I have a number of custom tuned HW's, Beemans and others. The two most smoothest air rifles I have seen was A Beeman R8 tuned by the Legendary MZ. I was fortunate to have him tune a number of my Air Rifles. However, noting in quality IMO has come close to the Walther LGV. My Gosh that is one very quiet, smooth as silk Spring Powered Rifle. I have it in 22.cal and can say that it is without a doubt the most accurate Springer I have ever shot. The Break Barrel locks up like a Vault. It is about as quiet as my tuned Vortek R7. You might be able to find one for around $600.00.
By the way, if you want a really nice pistol, the Chinese Beeman B17 is heck of a deal. Many on the Yellow Forum have sung praise for this shooter which is a Clone of the Beeman. And it sells for around $40.00. Normally I would advise not to buy Chines guns, but this is a exception.
I also love my Walther CP88 Pellet Pistol. This gun is used a lot in Iron Plate Shooting in Europe. I have at present about 15 or so air Pistols. You do not necessary have to spend a lot to get some good quality and have fun.
Also Note, the Crosman 2200 series can be modded to death. I have one with a steel breech and a Walther Lothar barrel and a TKO shroud. The Shroud makes the gun TOTALLY QUIET. All you can here is the hammer spring and the pellet hitting the target. Another Co2 that is ultra quiet is the Hammerili 880 with a TKO Shroud. Super accurate.

There is a couple of great Websites that have Custom Tuned 2200's. Man those guys can really do some wild mods on those guns.

Walther competition air Pistol

 
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cslinger said:
The Weihrauch is gonna be the better supported IMO.

Americans, because of our access and familiarity with real firearms typically only have the toys we grew up with as points of Airgun reference. So we see them as kids toys not well made, firearm level, 50+yard shooters.

When I go to the range and bring some of these folks with tricked out AR15s will totally ignore the HK or other tricked out AR or whatever on my table and want to know what the hell the quiet guns are. They are generally shocked at the quality, trigger and accuracy of these guns.

The downside is they are real gun money because frankly they are nicer than a great many real guns. I enjoy my airguns as much or more than many of my firearms and I have a fairly large collection of both for comparison sake. Frankly 95% of the time I prefer an air rifle or pistol to a .22 long rifle these days.

Lol, I could not agree more with your statement. CSlinger. I love bringing my Air Rifles to the range. Nothing like a top end finely German/English Pellet Rifle. I got hooked many years ago. I mean it is one addicting sport. Nice collection you have by the Way. Beautiful!
Click to expand...
 
Jeb Stuart said:
The R7 is a very quiet Air Rifle.However you want real quiet, get a Vortek Kit for the R7. Yes the Baikal 46 is hard to find, but the Avanti is quiet accurate and a real smooth shooter for a Pistol.
As far as rifles, I have a number of custom tuned HW's, Beemans and others. The two most smoothest air rifles I have seen was A Beeman R8 tuned by the Legendary MZ. I was fortunate to have him tune a number of my Air Rifles. However, noting in quality IMO has come close to the Walther LGV. My Gosh that is one very quiet, smooth as silk Spring Powered Rifle. I have it in 22.cal and can say that it is without a doubt the most accurate Springer I have ever shot. The Break Barrel locks up like a Vault. It is about as quiet as my tuned Vortek R7. You might be able to find one for around $600.00.
By the way, if you want a really nice pistol, the Chinese Beeman B17 is heck of a deal. Many on the Yellow Forum have sung praise for this shooter which is a Clone of the Beeman. And it sells for around $40.00. Normally I would advise not to buy Chines guns, but this is a exception.
I also love my Walther CP88 Pellet Pistol. This gun is used a lot in Iron Plate Shooting in Europe. I have at present about 15 or so air Pistols. You do not necessary have to spend a lot to get some good quality and have fun.
Also Note, the Crosman 2200 series can be modded to death. I have one with a steel breech and a Walther Lothar barrel and a TKO shroud. The Shroud makes the gun TOTALLY QUIET. All you can here is the hammer spring and the pellet hitting the target. Another Co2 that is ultra quiet is the Hammerili 880 with a TKO Shroud. Super accurate.

There is a couple of great Websites that have Custom Tuned 2200's. Man those guys can really do some wild mods on those guns.

Walther competition air Pistol

Click to expand...


Wow! I am also seeing the Crosman Custom Shop 2300:

https://www.crosman.com/custom-shop/

You can get one with a "muzzle brake" on it which I hear tames it. Wonder how quiet this one can be with a 10" Walther barrel? Can the 2300 be set on low power setting?
 
This man seems to think the P1/HW45 is pretty quiet on the low setting and good for indoors:



Also says it mimics a real firearm due to the recoil... aww now what!! Can't decide!!
 
Spring piston pellet guns without recoil compensation mechanisms can be difficult and frustrating to learn to shoot. If you're in it for the challenge you could hardly pick a better gun than the P1. It will definitely challenge you--I've never mastered mine.

I enjoy shooting my FWB65 a lot more. The recoil compensation mechanism means that it's not nearly as finicky about a super-consistent hold as my P1.
 
@cslinger- how's the build quality on the FAS 6004? Would you put it in the same category as the HW pistols?
 
@cslinger- how's the build quality on the FAS 6004? Would you put it in the same category as the HW pistols?
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My particular FAS 6004 is made very well and finished better then my HW's. Where I think the FAS likely falls down is the fact that its made by Chiappa these days who have a very hit and miss QC regime. So even though I am very very happy with mine I cannot say every one off the line is likely to be as good. With Weihrach products I can generally say you are going to get a good one.
 
Spring piston pellet guns without recoil compensation mechanisms can be difficult and frustrating to learn to shoot. If you're in it for the challenge you could hardly pick a better gun than the P1. It will definitely challenge you--I've never mastered mine.
Click to expand...

TRUTH!!! The HW45/P1 is a hard task master to be sure. You need to be on your game. The issue comes from two primary things.
1-Spring guns not only recoil and vibrate like a beast, they do so in every direction possible. Its not like a firearm with a sharp rearward recoil or muzzle rise.
2-That pellet lives in that barrel for an eternity comparatively speaking. On low power the HW45 tends to shoot really high, my guess is the pellet is in the barrel longer and is being effected by the recoil more. (or I just never shoot on low power and I suck in general ...... either or. :D)

Light hold, SAME trigger pull every time and FOLLOW THROUGH. Let the shot happen, let it bounce around in your hands, don't release trigger until you have a hole in the target. Rinse, Repeat, curse, Repeat.
 
So being home today getting over a cold I pulled out my .177 HW45. I can confirm that the DB levels on both low and high power are a couple of DB higher then that of my .22 version.

I haven't shot my HW45s in a while so I pulled out my .177 to see what I could do cold. I can confirm again these are harder to pick up and shoot then the penumatics but I am fairly happy with my results.

So keep in mind that I am very blessed to have lots of toys, and because of that I don't focus on one of them be they firearm or airgun so I am NEVER a good person to talk about accuracy as I simply don't have the skill to provide insight into the gun. Due to the wide breadth of what I shoot I can provide some insights as I have in this thread.

So with that being said. Here are a couple 8 shot groups shot off hand at about 21 feet (full power) with the .177 HW45. My cold group was on the left and believe it or not I am very happy with that, as I usually pick up one of the HW45s and I am all over the place until I get back into the mindset and discipline of the gun. The second group on the right I am super happy with. I haven't had this gun out in over a month or more. At any rate just another data point, but keep in mind it would be WAY easier for me to grab one of the pneumatics to bust out a group then one of these HW45s. But they are satisfying to shoot, with that big thunk and movement. I honestly enjoy these more than .22LR pistols most of the time and they come to the range with me more often than not with my firearms.

HW45 Silver Start 21ish feet/indoors .177 Meisterkugeln pistol
Note I have covered up with the gun all the random shots I was slinging into the paper last night for the DB testing. The groups comprise the two shoot and see's with one shot off the black to the left on the left and one off the black to the right on the right target.
IMG_6825_zpshunjcvfs.jpg

I actually just measured it off, from muzzle to target it is exactly 21 feet 2 inches. Pretty good eye ehhh :D
 
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@cslinger - I'd be very happy with those groups. This is great, thank you for posting all of this. Do you prefer one caliber over the other in the HW45?
 
Kookla said:
I'd be very happy with those groups. This is great, thank you for posting all of this. Do you prefer one caliber over the other in the HW45?
Click to expand...

Honestly it depends on my mood. I think overall I like the .22 more just because its got a little milder / less sharp report but if I am taking them to the range I am more likely to take the .177.

My 2 HW45s are also so different from each other that they might as well be completely different guns. The Silver Star above has the nice target grips and is in .177. My .22 is the basic black model that I put a set of G10 1911 grips on so huge difference in feel.

The reality is I have like 8 air pistols and with the exception of an RWS C225 SIG P225 C02 replica and a Browning URX and I like them all about equally although differently.
The C225 is just too loud to shoot indoors and has meh trigger and sights and the accuracy is kinda meh. Its fun from time to time but honestly I'd rather just go to the range and shoot a .22LR over this.
The Browning is a very cheap (Academy) sports thing that I picked up on a whim. It is super quiet, super low powered, pretty accurate, feels good but has a HORRENDOUS single stage trigger. Its a toy literally where as all the others are very well made, excellent guns period.
 
........and because this beats laying around feeling like crap here is another "group" from my .22 HW45. This one was just me plinking really. Its about 20 shots or so of H&N FTT. Same 21 feet, high power etc. You can see how the .22 cuts a more ragged hole being bigger and slower. This is my MAN STOPPER air pistol. :p

Just to note once again these are not easy to pick up and run without some practice and use. As you can see my first shot was, in the immortal words of Bob Ueker...."JUUUSSSTTT A BIT OUTSIDE!" Point is, its not hard to sling these things pretty far off target. On a bad day it would not be out of the question to pull some as far as the middle target. Like I said these require effort, but they are fun.

IMG_6826_zpsqnfhqkoa.jpg
 
cslinger said:
........and because this beats laying around feeling like crap here is another "group" from my .22 HW45. This one was just me plinking really. Its about 20 shots or so of H&N FTT. Same 21 feet, high power etc. You can see how the .22 cuts a more ragged hole being bigger and slower. This is my MAN STOPPER air pistol. :p

Just to note once again these are not easy to pick up and run without some practice and use. As you can see my first shot was, in the immortal words of Bob Ueker...."JUUUSSSTTT A BIT OUTSIDE!" Point is, its not hard to sling these things pretty far off target. On a bad day it would not be out of the question to pull some as far as the middle target. Like I said these require effort, but they are fun.

View attachment 776947
Click to expand...

Nice!! What are you using as a target? I need a target too, something that doesn't make so much noise...
 
That's pretty much what I'm using except mine is in a wooden box instead of the metal junction box. The sound of impact is definitely quieter than the sound of the gun discharge. It works for all my airguns, from my "magnum" .22 and .20 air rifles down to my low powered pistols.
 
My 46m was of course the most accurate shooter for target, However not much is said for actual firearm training. I like target practice, much enjoy the fast action shooting. I am a huge believer in POINT AND SHOOT training, which I do almost entirely with firearms and train at home with BB and Pellet guns. I have many targets set up for this in my back yard. I also have setup in my garage for winter months. Here is a great video of Iron Plate shooting. A big Sport in England and other countries and starting to pickup in the USA. Also is the Walther CP88 which I love. Top quality. I also use other Air Pistols, like the Makarov which helps train with my CCW guns like the Ruger LC9S. Not only shooting skills, but drawing fast which seems to be a very over looked but necessary skill.

ARE YOU THIS FAST??

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEDuJQWiaRE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjnWmr4A1Uc
 
Cooldill said:
What is the most accurate NEW air pistol under $500? I'd like to buy one for target practice.

Also please don't tell me to "get a used Baikal" those haven't been imported in years and are rare as hens teeth and a lot over $500 these days.

Thanks air gun people!
Click to expand...
Check out the V10 Air venture .177 great pistol, light, good looking, shoots wonderful. about 400 fps = great for 10m shooting.
 
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