I am looking for a great air pistol for plinking in my back yard. I have a Stoeger Rifle and it seems like a good one. Very accurate at about 100 yards and less.

Any recommendations on pistols?

My favorite shooters are Brownings and Colts. Any air pistol clones of these?

Thanks.

Beeman P1, also known as the Weihrauch HW45. They're not cheap, but they're one of the best air pistols available and closely match the grip of a 1911.

Beeman P1 if you don't mind spending the coin for the best. There's several sub $100 available if not. http://www.pyramydair.com/a/BB_guns_and_pellet_guns/BB_and_pellet_pistols/Pellet_pistols/1119

This pistol is expensive, heavy, hard to cock and difficult to learn. It will diesel forever (not quite but for hundreds of shots). It is powerful, for a pistol.

This is what I use for a plinker. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Benjamin_EB22/425

What do you mean Diesel? Thanks.

I have a Beeman P3, single stroke pneumatic. No spring twang, and the trigger is excellent. Really a first class option that is pretty affordable. I think mine was 200 or so.

I read about this Beeman. Seems like a good choice.

When pulling the slide back, the spec says 27lbs. Do you know how that compares to a real browning or colt 1911? Seems high but I cant seem to find info online on that spec.

Thanks for the input.

Another classic that feels like a real gun is the Webley Tempest at about half the price of the big Beeman.

The comparison is apples to oranges. A typical 1911 45acp pistol spring is 16 pounds, although you can get optional springs from 8-30 pounds. The 1911 pulls straight back, and the P1 and P3 both break like an OU shotgun.

The 1911 45ACP is much easier to manipulate. But again, the straight pull 1911 verses the compression of the P1/P3 is very different.

The P1 actually has two cocking levels, a slower half cock, and the full cock for greater speed. The P3 only has one cocking level. Most guys consider the P1 difficult to shoot because of the spring recoil. This recoil is not offensive, but leads to mechanically larger groups. P3 does not have a spring, so no recoil harmonics, and much easier to group.

Thanks Terryk and others. Good information.

I have a .22 webley Alecto. Likely one of the finest air pistols made and very high powered, 500fps with a .22 caliber pellet. Google it to see the details.

Too bad my close vision is not as good as the gun. I find I don't use it because I cannot shoot it as well with my older vision now. Anyone interested should PM me. I could be coaxed into selling it off.

It's like new, and I have all the papers and the box. If you ever wanted a self contained powerful air pistol this is it. I do not think there is a more powerful pump, spring or CO2 pistol made. Being pneumatic there is no recoil unlike a springer. It's dead still in your hand at the shot.

Airguns can ignite excess oils in the barrel or compression chamber. Often brand new guns will exhibit smoke after shooting. This is the excess oils burning off. Excess dieseling can actually damage the gun.