Competition Level Airguns

[6string]

Hi There,

Just wondering if anybody else here shoots Competition grade airguns, namely the fancy European makes like Feinwerkbau, Steyr, Pardini, Morini, Walther, etc.

From the standpoint of performance, build quality (and price!) they are right up there with the best of cartridge based arms. And, with the cost/availability of ammo they make a lot of practical sense.

I have used air pistols of all of the above makes and really find them to be an integral part of my shooting.
Here's a picture of my Pardini K2s and a target shot offhand (one hand) at 10 meters.

Jim272917

[35 shooter]

Nice one hand shooting!

[rking22]

Yes I love them, I shot 3 position small bore growing up and missed it. I kinda like the classics, recently picked up an FWB 300, been enjoying it recently.Theres a Crossman 160 co2 that is on the entry level of the 300s era, as well. I enjoy it but it’s loud. Have a Walther LP200, if memory serves, haven’t shot it in quite a while. Was a gift from my wonderful wifey! There’s a Diana 100 single stroke that is SO easy to shoot well. Also like Theoben Classics and Beeman R9 spotters, not as tame as the 10 meter guns but rewarding to shoot offhand decently. Really make you appreciate the compressed air target guns, and even the recoil less 300!

[6string]

The FWB 300 is a real classic. I have a good friend that shoots his every single day, 100 shots. He keeps records of the number of shots, chronographs it regularly and calculates for deviation, etc.
He has over 500,000 shots through it.
He does all his own maintenance on it, recording when and what is done, parts used, etc.

[Traffer]

I couldn't shoot that good with two hands...on a bench rest...with a cartridge rifle...and a scope.

[mister gizmo]

Most of the competition-level compressed air guns run near or above $2000. On the used market, you'll see them around $1500. At that price they should have two cylinders, adjustable sights and grips.
For Club-training, Walther builds a Hammerli-labeled AP-20 for around $900.

Unfortunately, CO-2 airguns seem to be passe now.

[6string]

Yes, the newest/latest in competition arms are always expensive.
There are lots of nice, used guns that use co2 (from a tank, not the little powerlets) and single stroke pneumatic. The co2 arms seem to be especially good values these days, if you can access co2 fills for your tank.

But, even the expensive ones pay for themselves if you shoot alot, just in terms of gas, mileage, time, ammo savings.

[Gunslinger1911]

A couple decades ago I lucked into a used FWB 300 Running Boar for a great price. Couldn't even start to guess how many pellets my boys and I have through it.
That "Mini Sniping " article in Guns and Ammo started a monster.
Granted I have a 36 x scope on it, but my "sniper" son got tired of 9mm casings at 30 yds and went for empty 22 casings . Could usually get 4 out of 5 if his brothers didn't harass him.

Really looking into a Discovery PCP (can also be setup for CO2, I happen to still have the full size CO2 cylinder from paint ball days)
The recent lack of primers (and wanting to hoard what I have) has given the air guns a serious workout.

I lucked out again a few years later and got a Baikal IZH 46M right before the huge price jump.

Decades of great fun!!
Even the best pellets (a must for the FWB) are inexpensive. And I don't have to reload for it !!!!

[Gunslinger1911]

Hi There,

Just wondering if anybody else here shoots Competition grade airguns, namely the fancy European makes like Feinwerkbau, Steyr, Pardini, Morini, Walther, etc.

From the standpoint of performance, build quality (and price!) they are right up there with the best of cartridge based arms. And, with the cost/availability of ammo they make a lot of practical sense.

I have used air pistols of all of the above makes and really find them to be an integral part of my shooting.
Here's a picture of my Pardini K2s and a target shot offhand (one hand) at 10 meters.

Jim272917

And remind me to NEVER challenge you to a duel !

[6string]

Gunslinger1911 mentioned his FWB Running Boar 300s. Those are very sought after, as is the Tyrolean stocked 300s.
Make sure to occasionally replace the mainspring and seals!
FWB seems to be a great company that supports their fine quality products.

[rodinal220]

I still shoot my FWB300 and FWB65.

[GARD72977]

I shoot a Styer Hunting Challenge for sillhouette and a FWB 602 for 10m practice

[Randy Bohannon]

Since you guys know what you are talking about can I ask a question ? With pneumatic air rifles do you still use a “artillery hold” like on springer air guns or mount the gun as you would any other rifle ? I learned about the artillery hold for springer air guns and my accuracy greatly improved.

[243winxb]

Shot a FWB65 back in the 70 or 80s. Was a Beeman dealer at the time.

Shooting this one in the basement now. https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Beeman_P17/614 Beeman P17 for $45. Bought it about 8 month ago. Fine gun for the money.

Artillery hold for rifle. Palm at trigger guard.

[GARD72977]

Since you guys know what you are talking about can I ask a question ? With pneumatic air rifles do you still use a “artillery hold” like on springer air guns or mount the gun as you would any other rifle ? I learned about the artillery hold for springer air guns and my accuracy greatly improved.

None need it.

All 10m guns have some type of mechanism to over come this

Pcp are held like a regular gun.
Single stroke punamatic are just like PCP

A heavy Springer that is turned to less than 12fpe will not be hold sensitive. I shoot a Tx200 with 24x Weaver that is turned to 11.5fpe. It shoot great to 45yds offhand with regular hold. The gun weighs more than 10lbs

[Randy Bohannon]

Thank you.

[JKR]

Nice old Pardini! I shoot a FWB Model 2 that I bought from a former member of the US pistol team. With it I placed 7 th overall and 3rd in the senior class in the CMP matches at Camp Perry in 2019. My wife shoots a Steyr LP10.
Air pistol and Free Pistol competition are my favorites.
JKR

[A5galbucket]

I have a IZH-Baikal 46M air pistol.

Got it back in 2003-2004 (??) for $400.

Still on the original O-rings.
I did get the B-Squared mount for a red dot.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/IZH_46M_Match_Air_Pistol/78

[A5galbucket]

Nice old Pardini! I shoot a FWB Model 2 that I bought from a former member of the US pistol team. With it I placed 7 th overall and 3rd in the senior class in the CMP matches at Camp Perry in 2019. My wife shoots a Steyr LP10.
Air pistol and Free Pistol competition are my favorites.
JKR

Well done sir!

[W.R.Buchanan]

The FWB 300 is a real classic. I have a good friend that shoots his every single day, 100 shots. He keeps records of the number of shots, chronographs it regularly and calculates for deviation, etc.
He has over 500,000 shots through it.
He does all his own maintenance on it, recording when and what is done, parts used, etc.

The action life on an FWB300 is supposed to be 6 million cycles! That's with only correct lubrication.

I had one, very frustrating gun to shoot because if you missed you couldn't blame it on the gun. Wish I had it back, they are not cheap now.

My Holy Grail is a Weihrauch HW55, been looking for a long time. I like the Weihrauch guns the best.

Randy

[sparky45]

I LOVE my HW30; although in .177 it is an example of superb workmanship and the fit and finish is spot on. I have a 3 x 9 Leupy on top and it's quite accurate. On the hunt for a M-Rod at present in either 22 or 25 to supplement the stable.

[Sc0]

Walther LP201, Pardini K10, FWB300S, FWB80

I enjoy shooting the 300s and 80, but need to chronograph the 80 since I think it's shooting worse than I do. The Walther is an older one that needs unobtanium parts ☹️.

[rogn]

How does the Weihrauch series compare to the old Beeman R series. I still have an R10 5mm
I had a collection of Beeman catalogues at one time and someone not versed in the ways of finer efforts of man discarded them.

[Sc0]

From my understanding, Beeman was the importer of HW. Might have specified minor differences but overall it's the same. Have both a HW77 and HW95, and they are pleasant shooters.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have a Beeman HW35 EB which was my first Air gun. It was an HW35 E with a 16" bbl and the "B" denoted made for Beeman.

I also have a HW 35 E which is essentially the same gun with a 19" bbl. and was the "Export Model." Both were made in 1976 and both are still perfect guns. The E model shoots a little smoother and I don't know why, because they are both virtually identical except for the barrel length. The Beeman gun has a nicer finish on the stock which was part of their requests from the factory. (like Lipsey's Rugers)

I have the EB set up with a Peep Sight, and the E has the standard open sights.

Randy

[6string]

Nice old Pardini! I shoot a FWB Model 2 that I bought from a former member of the US pistol team. With it I placed 7 th overall and 3rd in the senior class in the CMP matches at Camp Perry in 2019. My wife shoots a Steyr LP10.
Air pistol and Free Pistol competition are my favorites.
JKR

Yes, nice old CO2 pistol. I have shot the FWB 2 and the Walther (?) both CO2.
Once the compressed air pistols came about, I really appreciated the refinements to triggers, sights, and grips.
But, I also appreciate the SSP types, such as FWB 65, the FWB 100-103 series, and Pardini k58.
Yes, along with air, free pistol is a personal favorite as well.
Int'l rapid fire was a lot of fun back when 22 short was the way to go. But, try to find a place to shoot it these days!
If you ever get a chance, try the Steyr LP50, rapid fire 5 shot air pistol. Expensive but nice (and fun!).

[GARD72977]

I have really been wanting a LP50.

[Greg S]

Izh 46m and a FWB P70. Both more accurate than I am. Would like to try a Steyr LP10.

[GARD72977]

I had a Gamo Compact for years. I upgraded to a Izh 46m mand had an instant boost to my scores. I dont shoot competitively in 10m. Just thinking the LP50 would be a lot of fun

[WouterNL]

over the years I had a lot of sporter-airguns and also a few competition-grade stuff like:
Feinwerkbau 300S I like these a lot, its a springer which shoots so smooth.
Feinwerkbau 700 basic its a pcp, i like the way of loading it, putting the pellet in the barrel
Walther LG300XT, a very nice rifle, but i didn't like the way of loading: pushing the pellet into the barrel with the probe
when I moved to anther house I didn't shoot with these at home, only sometimes at the gunclub, but finally I sold all of these..


two years ago I found 2 FWB300S airrifles which I was able to buy. One of those was 'new' / never used, because there was a crack in the stock.. the seller told me that he found this one at a German gunshop where it had been standing in a corner for over decades.. The seller wanted to get rid of it, I was able to repair the stock and I shot one time with those nice rifles, but sold them also... unfortunately I cannot find pictures of the nice one.. It was still in the styrofoam factorybox!

[Swede 45]

Well, I'm more of an bang and smoke shooter, but now and then I bring out an old feinwerkbau m65 for some practice or indoor match.
Great old gun that still keeps up with the modern ones.
Nice thing about it is that by a flick of a lever you can turn the trigger from 0.5 kg to 1.36 kg, and that is the minimum trigger weight allowed for centerfire handguns here.
That makes it easy for some indoor/garden trigger practice without dryfire with centerfire guns.

[chutesnreloads]

Not a competition grade but have a Beeman P1 I got 15-20 years ago. If only could install that trigger on all my guns.....
Lately been wanting to get the .22 version

[Krag 1901]

I have a Hammerli "Single" co2 gun. It needs a new seal as the co2 leaks out quickly! Who works on these close to Sacramento?

[keyhole]

I have a Beeman R10 in .20 caliber I bought new in 1987. This model is equivalent to the Weihrauch HW85. It worked beautifully until about 5 years ago when the mainspring broke. It was replaced by an airgun specialist company and worked until just recently when the mainspring broke again. I am finding out from others way more knowledgeable than me that I likely did not follow the best lubrication schedule. The R10 is somewhat notorious for eating mainsprings. The instructions that came with the gun did not cover long term maintenance. The gun is repairable and should be going again in a few weeks. When it has an intact mainspring, it is wonderfully accurate. Its Rekord trigger is highly regarded and very crisp.

Back in the late 80's I also had a Feinwerkbau Model 65, with the longer barrel. It was beautifully made and quite accurate, based on the factory test target. However, I never could warm up to it. I am left-handed and the side cocking lever was also on the left side as one would expect for a gun intended for the right-handed shooter. So it was a little awkward to cock. It was a large pistol and just did not point well for me. I sold it years ago.

[dverna]

My first air pistol was an LP 3. Very accurate and a bit of a workout to cock. Sold it decades ago.

I am currently looking for an air pistol. Might go with PCP.

[catmandu]

I have a couple FWB 65’s. Looking to sell one.

Paul in WNY