SSP availability

[roostonu]

After spending the evening shooting my friends K58 I'm hooked. I'm fairly convinced that an SSP will fit my needs the best. Not that if the right deal came along I wouldn't change my mind but for now SSP is the way to go for me. So with that said and being very new to this sport I'm wondering how many different SSP's are on the market today? I am aware of the IZZY, K58, FWB100, 102 and 103 but am I overlooking any other fairly current SSP's that could be used for all around plinking as well as an occasional match should my abilities warrant competing on a local level?

[Tom Amlie]

While it's a "springer" rather than a SSP, the FWB-65 is still an excellent choice, and it's probably much easier to find than a K58 or FWB100, 102, 103.

[roostonu]

While it's a "springer" rather than a SSP, the FWB-65 is still an excellent choice, and it's probably much easier to find than a K58 or FWB100, 102, 103.

Thanks but I would like to find a pneumatic and not a springer.

[Eurastus]

While it's a "springer" rather than a SSP, the FWB-65 is still an excellent choice, and it's probably much easier to find than a K58 or FWB100, 102, 103.

Thanks but I would like to find a pneumatic and not a springer.

I own an Izzy (decent starter-gun but so very "rough" in all ways), an FWB 80 (virtually identical to the 65), and two FW 103's (both the older blue version and also the newer grey color).

The FWB 80 springer is fun to play with, but much harder to shoot as accurately as the 103's. I shoot the 80 about once a month mostly for nostalgia's sake. This was the dream pistol from my high school days; I always wanted one but couldn't afford it then. In my opinion, it does not hold a candle to the later FWB offerings; it's hard to get within 15 points of the SSP pistols' scores.

The older FWB 103, dark blue in color with the three-piece grip, has been a great gun. I've thousands and thousands of shots down the barrel, but the grips are not very adjustable; only the rake can be changed. These blue versions are easier to come by used than the grey models. Keep your eyes out here and on the yellow board. They pop up from time to time. Jim E. just had one for sale within the past week or so. He kept lowering and lowering the price with no takers for the longest time. He finally let it go for a killer price; you missed out on that one for sure.

I recently picked up one of the last FWB 103 models made, with the grey colors and one-piece grip. While 90% of the gun is the same as the older 103, the one-piece grip is super-adjustable in all three axis at once. It took quite some time to find a position that I liked (which turns out to be rather canted to the right and twisted as well), but it is now my favorite AP. I find that my elbow is much less sore after 60+ shots and the sights just naturally line up better. I've only had it a few weeks, but my scores are averaging 3-5 points higher than with the older 103. I think the points are picked up later in the shooting session by having less fatigue in the shooting hand/arm. I looked long and hard for several years to find this gun in such great (like new) condition. The search was certainly worth it to me. I wish you the same luck. Be aware that a few of the very first grey models came with the three-piece grip. There are many photos of these on the web, but I've never seen one in person. Get the one-piece grip if you can.

I love the SSP guns...even the IZZY (for what it is). The FWB 103's (with their great trigger especially) are just as accurate as the latest PCP AP's, but you don't have to worry about the whole air tank stuff. Just pump and go. The late-model grey FWB 103 is the pinnacle of SSP technology; there is nothing better.

Besides that, the FWB 103 with the removable cocking arm is very light weight. I actually like that. The longer pre-shot routine with the cocking motion and removing the arm helps to slow me down to a pace that I like better. I shoot as well as the other boys in the local matches with their PCP guns, and I don't believe I'm giving anything up to them with my choice of gear. I hope you find the same.

The Izzy is the way to go until you can find something better (which will take time...trust me). They're $350 new from Airguns of Arizona. Call them up now and order one. In the meantime, be prepared to look long and hard for a used FWB 103 in decent condition; be prepared to spend over $1,000 easily, by the way.

[roostonu]

While it's a "springer" rather than a SSP, the FWB-65 is still an excellent choice, and it's probably much easier to find than a K58 or FWB100, 102, 103.

Thanks but I would like to find a pneumatic and not a springer.

I own an Izzy (decent starter-gun but so very "rough" in all ways), an FWB 80 (virtually identical to the 65), and two FW 103's (both the older blue version and also the newer grey color).

The FWB 80 springer is fun to play with, but much harder to shoot as accurately as the 103's. I shoot the 80 about once a month mostly for nostalgia's sake. This was the dream pistol from my high school days; I always wanted one but couldn't afford it then. In my opinion, it does not hold a candle to the later FWB offerings; it's hard to get within 15 points of the SSP pistols' scores.

The older FWB 103, dark blue in color with the two-piece grip, has been a great gun. I've thousands and thousands of shots down the barrel, but the grips are not very adjustable; only the rake can be changed. These blue versions are easier to come by used than the grey models. Keep your eyes out here and on the yellow board. They pop up from time to time. Jim E. just had one for sale within the past week or so. He kept lowering and lowering the price with no takers for the longest time. He finally let it go for a killer price; you missed out on that one for sure.

I recently picked up one of the last FWB 103 models made, with the grey colors and one-piece grip. While 90% of the gun is the same as the older 103, the one-piece grip is super-adjustable in all three axis at once. It took quite some time to find a position that I liked (which turns out to be rather canted to the right and twisted as well), but it is now my favorite AP. I find that my elbow is much less sore after 60+ shots and the sights just naturally line up better. I've only had it a few weeks, but my scores are averaging 3-5 points higher than with the older 103. I think the points are picked up later in the shooting session by having less fatigue in the shooting hand/arm. I looked long and hard for several years to find this gun in such great (like new) condition. The search was certainly worth it to me. I wish you the same luck.

I love the SSP guns...even the IZZY (for what it is). The FWB 103's (with their great trigger especially) are just as accurate as the latest PCP AP's, but you don't have to worry about the whole air tank stuff. Just pump and go. The late-model grey FWB 103 is the pinnacle of SSP technology; there is nothing better.

Besides that, the FWB 103 with the removable cocking arm is very light weight. I actually like that. The longer pre-shot routine with the cocking motion and removing the arm helps to slow me down to a pace that I like better. I shoot as well as the other boys in the local matches with their PCP guns, and I don't believe I'm giving anything up to them with my choice of gear. I hope you find the same.

The Izzy is the way to go until you can find something better (which will take time...trust me). They're $350 new from Airguns of Arizona. Call the m up now and order one. In the meantime, be prepared to look long and hard for a used FWB 103 in decent condition; be prepared to spend over $1,000 easily, by the way.

What do you think of the FWB 100

[Eurastus]

The 100 is better than the Izzy in so many ways, if you can find one. They are rather seldom-seen. I've never held a 100 in my hands, and I don't see them come up for sale either. I suppose if you can find one in decent condition in the $750 range, that would be a good deal.

Be aware that the 100 has a non-detachable cocking lever; I remove the lever on the 103, myself, for every shot. The 100 shoots rather slowly as well, around 450 fps. My 103 is well over 500 fps.

In the end, I'd rather have a one-piece gripped 103, even at twice the price.

Notice the 100 has a relatively short cocking arm. Even though it is slower than the 103, it requires more cocking force. Also, the grip is more like the older FWB 65/80 series. I don't know what kind of adjustability the 100 grip has, but if it has any at all, it won't be much. I'm big on adjustability, as you can likely tell.

Lots of details on the differences here: http://www.targettalk.org/viewtopic.php?p=69487

[Tycho]

The 100 I used to shoot had 159 m/sec, which isn't materially less than the 103. I'd say that a 100 at 400 f/sec is way too slow and has a problem with the seals. But it's nose heavy, and harder to cock, and the grip (potential) sucks. 100, 102 and even 103 are quite common on egun, in case of the 100 and 102 not expensive at all, and usually no problem to ship anywhere. BTW, the fastest SSP I've seen so far is the Morini CM800E, which clocked at 168 m/sec.

[Eurastus]

100, 102 and even 103 are quite common on egun, in case of the 100 and 102 not expensive at all, and usually no problem to ship anywhere.

Yes indeed. There's a 100 on there now; the current bid is quite reasonable (of course it will likely go up before sale).

And several 102's, though they look rather well-used.

I guess egun is the place to pick up used FWB 100-series AP's.

[roostonu]

100, 102 and even 103 are quite common on egun, in case of the 100 and 102 not expensive at all, and usually no problem to ship anywhere.

Yes indeed. There's a 100 on there now; the current bid is quite reasonable (of course it will likely go up before sale).

And several 102's, though they look rather well-used.

I guess egun is the place to pick up used FWB 100-series AP's.

What site is it you refer to? Where is it based? Do you have a link?

[Eurastus]

What site is it you refer to? Where is it based? Do you have a link?

http://www.egun.de

It's German.

[roostonu]

What site is it you refer to? Where is it based? Do you have a link?

http://www.egun.de

It's German.

I checked it out. It looks like there are several good deals. Do you have any experience buying of this site from the US?

[paw080]

The 100 I used to shoot had 159 m/sec, which isn't materially less than the 103. I'd say that a 100 at 400 f/sec is way too slow and has a problem with the seals. But it's nose heavy, and harder to cock, and the grip (potential) sucks. 100, 102 and even 103 are quite common on egun, in case of the 100 and 102 not expensive at all, and usually no problem to ship anywhere. BTW, the fastest SSP I've seen so far is the Morini CM800E, which clocked at 168 m/sec.

Hi Tycho and Roostonu, I'll vouch for Tycho's comments here. You do not
have to spend $7XX for a model 100. I bought a used one from Pilkguns
a couple of years ago for $525. it shoots 7 grain Basics at 510-515 fps, and
7.3 grain JSBs at 500-505fps. The more you practice and train with an SSP,
the stronger you become, and a 60 shot match is not fatiguing at all.
The original grip fits my son and I very well; however, when I shoot the mod 100,
I replace the original FWB grip with a Marschal grip that is rotated
5 degrees to compensate for my cross-dominance(left eye/right hand).
Switching back to the original grip for my son only takes a couple of minutes.
This usually only happens if several friends and relatives want to shoot in
the backyard range. My son usually shoots "the family" LP1-C .

Tony G

[Eurastus]

I checked it out. It looks like there are several good deals. Do you have any experience buying of this site from the US?

Nope. Never heard of it before today. Sorry.